The United States is in shock and deep anxiety following the shooting of 31-year-old conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU). Already, calls for revenge are being heard, while supporters describe Kirk as a “martyr.”

The Moment of the Attack

According to eyewitnesses, Kirk was answering a question from the audience about gun use and violence in the U.S. when the fatal shot rang out.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have committed mass murders in the past 10 years?” an attendee asked. Kirk responded: “Far too many.” Seconds later, the gunshot was heard.

The activist collapsed in his chair, bleeding heavily from the neck, as the crowd panicked and fled. “I heard a loud bang, then saw him fall, like in slow motion,” said one witness. A local journalist reported that the audience remained crouched on the ground for nearly a minute before a mass stampede to escape.

Despite immediate efforts by his security detail and a rushed private transport to a hospital, Kirk succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. President Trump confirmed the death of his close associate on Truth Social.

The Unknown Shooter

Authorities described the attack as a “targeted attack.” Initial findings indicate that the shooter fired from the roof of UVU’s Losee Center, about 130 meters away from the speaking venue. The suspect, dressed in dark clothing, disappeared immediately after the shot.

Two individuals were briefly detained in the aftermath but later released, as police confirmed they had no connection to the killing. A massive manhunt is underway across Utah, including door-to-door searches, helicopters, and analysis of surveillance footage.

A video circulating on social media appears to show a shadowy figure on the university rooftop at the moment of the attack. Officials are reviewing the footage, though its authenticity remains unverified.

Shocking Testimonies

Porter LaFerber, a UVU student and self-described “big fan” of Kirk, told the BBC he was about 15 meters away when the shot was fired:
“You don’t really grasp what happened until it happens. Charlie falls off his stool, everyone starts panicking.”

The 31-year-old Kirk had a large, loyal following on social media and was a key figure for the modern Republican Party. However, his career was also marked by spreading fake news, divisive rhetoric, and conspiracy theories, including claims of fraud in the 2020 elections and misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccines.

Another attendee, 20-year-old Tiana Lao, said she and her roommate were “very excited” to hear Kirk speak. She noted the surprisingly light security given the size of the crowd: “No one checked bags,” she told the BBC. What started as a peaceful discussion quickly turned chaotic.
“We didn’t know what was happening at first,” she said. “Everyone started shouting ‘get down’ and telling us to run. Then we realized it was serious. We were both crying—I was shaking uncontrollably.”

Political Shockwaves and Fears of Escalation

Kirk’s killing has shaken the U.S. political landscape. All living former presidents issued statements urging Americans not to let violence replace political dialogue. Yet in segments of conservative media, voices are already calling for “revenge” and for continuing Kirk’s mission—fueling fears of further polarization.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, had become one of the most recognizable figures of the conservative movement, with a strong presence on campuses and social media. His confrontational rhetoric made him both a hero to supporters and a lightning rod for critics.

The cold-blooded assassination, carried out in front of thousands, raises serious questions about the future of American democracy amid deep polarization. It also reignites debate over gun ownership and campus security.

“Martyr” for the Conservative Cause

Prominent MAGA figures quickly hailed Kirk as a martyr who died defending conservative and Christian values. “Charlie Kirk’s movement will never stop,” said far-right influencer Jack Posobiec in a conversation with Steve Bannon.

“He fell on the front lines,” Bannon added on Real America’s Voice.

Utah’s Republican governor Spencer Cox declared it a “political assassination.” Breitbart’s Matt Boyle warned: “This lit a match in America. The right—especially the youth—will not tolerate this.”

Social media was flooded with tributes calling Kirk an “American martyr.” Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, stated: “His martyrdom must be a turning point for our country”—a play on the name of Kirk’s youth movement, Turning Point USA.

Others pointed directly to “the left.” Commentator Clay Travis claimed: “The left couldn’t defeat him in debate, so they killed him.” Elon Musk posted on X: “The left is the party of murder.”

Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned that the assassination could unleash “chaos and political violence.”

Trump’s Reaction

Born in suburban Chicago, a devout Christian, supporter of gun rights, and father of two, Charlie Kirk was credited by Trump with mobilizing young voters and contributing significantly to his political victories.

President Trump himself described Kirk as a “martyr” on Truth Social, blaming his death on the rhetoric of the “radical left” and vowing that his administration would “hunt down all those who contributed to this atrocity and any other political violence, including the organizations that fund and support them.”