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Charlie Kirk shot and killed during live event at Utah college as internet reacts

Videos of the shooting spread quickly online.

Timothy Beck Werth

on September 10, 2025

Charlie Kirk appears with supporters and security at a UC San Diego event

Credit: Michael Ho Wai Lee/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Updated on Friday, Sept. 12 at 2:15 p.m. ET — Authorities announced Friday that a suspect in Charlie Kirk's assassination had been taken into custody.

Conservative political leader Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a Utah college on Sept. 9, as reported by President Donald Trump and the New York Times.

Kirk was an outspoken MAGA media figure and the leader of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth activist organization. Kirk rose to social media prominence in 2012 at just 18, and in the years since, he transformed Turning Point USA into an influential conservative political operation. Kirk traveled the country hosting caustic debates where he could express his strong right-wing stances as an opponent of abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, and gun control.

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As gruesome videos of the shooting spread online, President Donald Trump, politicians from across the political spectrum, fans, and critics alike shared messages of thoughts and prayers. On his Truth Social social networking site, the President wrote, "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"

Soon after, the President announced that Kirk had been killed. "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us."

Mashable is choosing not to share videos of the shooting, which shows Kirk speaking to a large crowd at a Utah Valley University event. The video shows Kirk responding to a question about mass shootings while sitting underneath a Turning Point USA tent emblazoned with the messages "Prove Me Wrong" and “The American Comeback.” As he speaks, his head suddenly rocks back, and he suffers a grievous neck wound as the crowd panics and runs from the scene.

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The New York Times reported that a shooter fired a single shot from a building some 200 yards from Kirk. The Times initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody at the scene, but later wrote that police have since determined that the individual was not the shooter. NBC News reported that no suspects are in custody at this time, citing a Utah Valley University spokesperson.

Social media users shared videos of an older white man being taken into custody; however, misleading video clips often go viral in the aftermath of a tragedy, and internet sleuths have a history of misidentifying suspects in the aftermath of a shooting.

Major political and public figures shared messages of shock, horror, and sympathy following the shooting.

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Charlie Kirk belonged to a political party whose members routinely send Christmas card pics of their entire families, adults and children, bearing rifles and handguns – and who widely wear AR-15 lapel pins. Facts.
— Dr. Jack Brown (@drjackbrown.bsky.social) September 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM

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UPDATE: Sep. 11, 2025, 11:45 a.m. EDT This story has been updated to provide additional context about Kirk's political beliefs.

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Topics Politics

Timothy Beck Werth

Tech Editor

Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.

Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.