Charlie Kirk is dead. The conservative activist was killed on Wednesday during a campus speaking event in Utah, his spokesperson has confirmed.
President Donald Trump expressed his grief in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“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!”
Rest in Peace, Charlie Kirk. ❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/I53nGCKaRD
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 10, 2025
Charlie Kirk Shote, Dies Later
Kirk was attacked at approximately 12:10 p.m. while speaking to students at Utah Valley University as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” A bullet struck him in the neck while he was responding to a student’s question about mass shooters.
He was immediately rushed to a hospital by his security team. Authorities initially detained a suspect, who was later released, and the investigation into the shooter is ongoing. Graphic videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting both Republican and Democratic figures to share prayers and condolences for Kirk.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Born in the Chicago suburbs, Kirk rose to prominence as a right-wing media personality and political activist. He served as CEO of Turning Point Action, a nonprofit advocacy group that played a key role in supporting Donald Trump’s second presidential term.
Kirk also founded Turning Point Faith, connecting religious leaders with local politics, and developed Turning Point Academy, which aimed at “reviving virtuous education.”
He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, rapidly building it into a national network of campus groups, eclipsing traditional college Republican clubs.
At 31, Kirk was a close ally and adviser to President Trump, who described him as, “A very, very good friend of mine and he was a tremendous person.”
Charlie Kirk Family: Wife Erika Frantzve, Two Children
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, whom he married on May 8, 2021, six months after their engagement in Scottsdale, Arizona. The couple shared a deep Christian faith and had two children – a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. While they rarely show their children’s faces publicly, they often post family moments on social media.
Erika Frantzve is a social entrepreneur and ministry leader who frequently speaks at political events, both independently and alongside her husband. She won the Miss Arizona USA pageant in 2012, played collegiate basketball, and graduated from Arizona State University with a double major in Political Science and International Relations.
She is CEO and founder of several organizations, including Everyday Heroes Like You and the PROCLAIM Ministry x Bible In 365 clothing line, according to her official website.
Also Read: How Charlie Kirk, A College Dropout, Became A Millionaire And One Of Donald Trump’s Closest Allies
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
