Charlie Kirk, a Donald Trump ally and conservative activist, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10. Videos from the incident quickly went viral on social media, and it was clear that Kirk was struck during the shooting. While rumors circulate online, many want to know the answer to one question: is Kirk alive or dead? Get updates on his condition as politicians from both sides offer their prayers for Kirk.
Who Is Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was a right-wing political commentator and activist, having stood by the president’s side throughout his 2024 campaign. He was credited by Trump himself for helping mobilize the youth vote in the Republican Party’s favor.
The 31-year-old was the founder of Turning Point USA: a nonprofit that advocates for conservatives on college campuses, and he hosted his radio talk show, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” on Salem Media’s “The Answer” channel.
Kirk was also a member of the United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, which “inquires into the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy which the Board decides to consider.”
Charlie Kirk is one of the finest humans I know. Everyone please lift him and his family up in prayer.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) September 10, 2025
What Happened to Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was struck after shots were fired at Utah Valley University during the afternoon on September 10. As seen in videos online, Kirk was hit and slumped down in his seat before blood ran down his neck.
Is Charlie Kirk Alive or Dead?
Trump announced that Kirk is dead in a Truth Social post, which read, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Who Shot Charlie Kirk?
The identity of the shooter has not been disclosed to the public at the time of publication. University officials initially claimed that a suspect was taken into custody, but CNN later reported that no one was in custody.
“[Kirk] was hit and taken from the location by his security,” Utah Valley University noted in a statement. “Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody.”
Shots were fired from a nearby campus building about 200 yards away from where Kirk was speaking, per CNN.