Caleb Browder
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, spoke at Clemson in 2021 during his Exposing Critical Racism tour. Kirk was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
Charlie Kirk died today at age 31 after being shot in the neck during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
“Our organization is deeply upset by the shooting of Charlie Kirk,” Jack Lyle, chairman of Clemson College Republicans, told The Tiger. “Our hearts and our prayers are with Turning Point USA, Mr. Kirk, and his family in the wake of this senseless act of violence.”
“We are devastated by the horrific act of violence that took place at Turning Point USA’s event at Utah Valley University today,” Clemson University’s Turning Point USA chapter said in a statement on its social media. “Our hearts go out to Charlie Kirk and all others affected by this senseless act of violence.”
Clemson’s TPUSA will hold a prayer vigil on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the amphitheater in honor of Kirk.
Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action released a joint statement on their social media pages confirming that Kirk was “murdered by a gunshot” during the duration of the campus event.
The shooting occurred while Kirk was speaking and taking questions from students as part of his American Comeback Tour.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” President Donald Trump said on Truth Social. “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!”
Videos from the event show Kirk speaking under a white pop-up tent when a single gunshot rang out. He recoiled in his seat and reached toward his neck as blood poured from the left side, causing people in the crowd to scream and scatter.
University officials initially said a suspect was in custody, but later clarified that no suspect had been apprehended.
“The police have determined that a person who was taken into custody after the shooting was not actually the shooter,” the New York Times reported.
Videos online showed an older man being detained by police officers, but Utah Valley University officials confirmed that no one has been arrested.
“There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” Ellen Treanor, a Utah Valley University spokesperson, said in a statement.
The University said four agencies are currently investigating the shooting: Orem Police, Utah Valley University Police, the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Hours before the attack, Kirk’s brand posted on social media, “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour,” according to Fox News. The post has since been deleted.
Kirk rose from a teenage activist to one of President Trump’s top allies during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. He became a prominent figure in conservative politics, and was very outspoken about his Christian faith.
He built his reputation by traveling to college campuses to debate and engage with students about politics and faith — the very work he was doing when he was shot and killed.
Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
This is a developing story. The Tiger will update this article with additional information as it becomes available.