Who was Charlie Kirk, the activist who was shot at a US university?

Charlie Kirk was an American conservative political activist , author, and media personality. He was born on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

He was known for being the founder and president of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) , a non-profit organization that promotes conservative values ​​such as free markets and limited government, especially among high school and college students.

Kirk founded TPUSA in 2012 with Bill Montgomery, when he was just 18, and has since expanded his influence through initiatives such as the Professor Watchlist and the School Board Watchlist. He also served as executive director of Turning Point Action, Turning Point Academy, and Turning Point Faith, and as a member of the Council for National Policy.

He was also the host of The Charlie Kirk Show , a radio program and podcast with a strong presence on conservative outlets like Fox News . His publications include Campus Battlefield: How Conservatives Can WIN the Battle on Campus and Why It Matters and Time for a Turning Point, which he co-authored.

Kirk grew up in the Chicago suburbs, attended Wheeling High School, and began his political activism at a young age, supporting Republican campaigns. Although he enrolled at Harper College, he dropped out to pursue activism full-time. He has been married to Erika Frantzve since 2021 and is the father of two children .

Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event for his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. The attack occurred around 12:10 p.m. local time, during a question-and-answer session with students.

According to reports, a gunshot rang out in the auditorium. Videos show Kirk backing away and clutching his neck, blood visible, as the audience panicked. An elderly man was arrested, and classes were suspended on campus.

Kirk was removed from the scene by his security team, and hours later, President Donald Trump confirmed the activist's death through Truth Social.