Eyewitnesses saw a bullet hit Charlie Kirk’s neck before aides rushed him from the Utah stage.
US President Donald Trump later announced Kirk’s death on Wednesday, calling him “great and even legendary.”
Trump said Kirk deeply understood America’s youth and added personal condolences to his wife Erika and family.
Shooting at Utah Event Sparks Outcry
Videos showed Kirk speaking at Utah Valley University before a shot struck him, spilling blood from his neck.
Police detained a suspect immediately but released him later, with investigations continuing under federal supervision.
Trump, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Senator Mike Lee condemned the attack, vowing justice and swift accountability.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed agents were heading to the scene to take charge of the inquiry.
Left-wing influencer Hasan Piker, scheduled to debate Kirk, denounced the attack as terrifying and warned of reprisals.
Kirk’s Rise Through Conservative Politics
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 with Tea Party activist William Montgomery in suburban Chicago.
The organisation struggled initially but later expanded nationwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of students with libertarian ideals.
Kirk’s confrontations with liberal academia gained wealthy conservative donors’ support and strengthened Turning Point’s influence.
Turning Point fully endorsed Trump in 2016, with Kirk serving as aide to Donald Trump Jr during the campaign.
Kirk then became a regular on cable television, embracing culture wars and rallying conservatives at Turning Point conferences.
