Just hours before he was shot and killed at a university event in Utah, Charlie Kirk shared a tragic last post.
Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University (UVU). The shocking incident has prompted a massive manhunt and triggered reactions from political leaders worldwide.
What Happened During the UVU Event?
Kirk, 31, was speaking at an open-air event under a white gazebo in UVU’s quad — a bowl-shaped courtyard — to an audience of about 3,000 people.
At approximately 12:20PM local time, while responding to a question about gun violence, a single gunshot rang out.
Eyewitness footage shows Kirk recoiling in his chair with visible blood on his neck before chaos erupted.
"I heard a loud shot, a loud bang and then I saw his body actually - in slow motion - kind of fall over," one eyewitness told reporters, per BBC News.
Kirk was rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle. Hours later, his death was confirmed in a post by Trump on Truth Social.
Although Kirk’s wife and two children were present, they were unharmed. No other injuries were reported. The university campus has since been evacuated as authorities intensify their search for the shooter.
Who Is Behind the Shooting?
Law enforcement is treating the incident as an assassination, but the motive and identity of the shooter remain unknown.
Two individuals were detained shortly after the incident but were released when investigators found "no current ties" linking them to the shooting, according to Utah officials.
"This shooting is still an active investigation," said the Department of Public Safety in its latest statement, per the New York Post.
A wide-scale manhunt is currently underway. Police have locked down the campus and are conducting door-to-door searches, with officers armed and on high alert.
Authorities believe the fatal shot was fired from the rooftop of a nearby building — identified as the Losee Center — overlooking the courtyard where Kirk was speaking.
CCTV footage is being reviewed, and the suspect is believed to have been "dressed in dark clothing".
Social media videos have circulated showing a dark figure on a rooftop after the shooting, but their authenticity remains unverified due to poor video quality.
Charlie Kirk's Final Post
Just hours before he was murdered, Kirk took to his Instagram story to reflect on another heartbreaking recent news story.
"You've probably heard the situation that happened in North Carolina," he began. "Say the name 'Iryna Zarutska'.
"Iryna Zarutska was just riding public transit - by the way, she was a refugee from Ukraine, of all places."
Kirk then referenced the horrific viral video of Zarutska being murdered on the bus, by a man who had 14 previous charges against him.
Kirk continued: "It really makes you wonder, why are we putting up with this? Why are we allowing so many people who keep committing these crimes to be released?"
He then turned his attention to the media, claiming that they had to be "forced" to cover the story.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk rose to national prominence as a leading voice in conservative politics. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at just 18 years old — a student movement aimed at promoting conservative values on traditionally liberal college campuses.
Kirk became known for his energetic campus appearances, engaging in open-air Q&A sessions where he tackled heated issues ranging from gun rights and climate change to religion and family.
He was also a prolific content creator, with his daily podcast and social media channels drawing a large following.
While Kirk's views drew significant criticism — particularly for amplifying controversial claims like the false narrative that the 2020 presidential election was stolen — his supporters hailed him as a free speech champion and a vital figure in energizing young conservative voters.
He maintained strong ties with the Trump administration, regularly attending White House events and playing an influential role in shaping grassroots support for the former president.