WASHINGTON — Right-wing activist and media figure Charlie Kirk has passed away following a shooting incident while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Video footage from the campus captures the moment when students are seen fleeing in panic after gunshots were fired.

President Donald Trump shared news of Kirk’s passing via a statement on Truth Social, stating, “The Great, and truly Legendary, Charlie Kirk, has passed away. No one engaged with or understood the Heart of the Youth in the United States better than Charlie.”

In response, Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening. 

Video posted on social media showed Kirk bleeding heavily from an apparent gunshot wound near his neck.

Utah Valley University issued an alert that “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker.” 

FBI Director Kash Patel announced on social media Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. that a suspect was in custody. Shortly thereafter, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed in a press briefing that the detained individual was “a person of interest.”

Around 8 p.m. ET, FBI Director Kash Patel said they released the person after interrogation. 

Kirk was widely recognized as a right-wing activist and media personality, primarily for establishing Turning Point USA, which focuses on advocating for conservative positions within school campuses.

Turning Point USA, along with its affiliated organizations under the Turning Point brand, operates as a nonprofit, aiming to elect young Republican candidates and promote conservative principles in high schools, colleges, and churches.

Kirk became the face of a young Republican movement, supporting grassroots efforts to bring new blood into the party. 

The 31-year-old saw his political career begin in 2012 at age 18 when he was approached by Tea Party activist Bill Montgomery during Benedictine University’s Youth Government Day. Montgomery persuaded Kirk to forego college to engage in full-time activism, leading to the launch of Turning Point USA shortly thereafter.

Kirk’s outspoken support of President Donald Trump’s policies made him a hero to some young Republicans, and has drawn the ire of Democrats who say he is arguing in bad faith. 

He has publicly promoted conspiracies, including falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and boosting unsubstantiated rumors. 

Kirk was married to Erika Frantzve, a podcaster and businesswoman. He leaves behind two children. 

Kirk was at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” This was his first stop since resuming the tour. 

His team posted to social media 20 minutes before the reported shooting, writing “Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.” The post has since been deleted. 

The event started just after noon local time and was open to the public. His presence caused controversy on the campus recently, with the school paper The UVU Review reporting some were opposing him speaking.