Who was Charlie Kirk? Conservative activist life overview

Charles James Kirk, commonly known as Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative activist who was born on October 14, 1993 in Chicago, U.S. and was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Kirk married to Erika Kirk in 2021, who won Miss Arizona USA in 2012 and the couple share 2 children, who were present at the time of killing.

Son of a mental health counselor lady and architect father, earned Eagle Scout rank while being a member of Boy Scouts of America and first volunteered for the Mark Kirk US Senate campaign which went successful in 2010.

Late Bill Montgomery, a U.S. renowned businessman met Kirk and encouraged him to do full time political activism.

Deceased CEO founded the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at the age of 18, which later in 2012 received funding for the TPUSA from renowned investment manager Foster Friess.

The shooting occurred approximately 20 minutes into Kirk's appearance as part of his American Comeback Tour.

American right-wing political activist and media personality was struck by a single gunshot to the neck while seated at his Prove Me Wrong debating table before 3000 of attendees.

Video footage shows the moment a gunshot rang out while Kirk was engaged in discussion about mass shootings and transgender issues with a student.

Law enforcement officials confirmed the shot originated from the roof of a campus building 100-200 yards from the event area.

U.S. President Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff stating America faced a dark moment while blaming inflammatory rhetoric for the tragedy. 

Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the incident as a political assassination and announced a person of interest was initially detained though later released without charges. 

Univeristy officials announced that the campus remains closed through September 14 during the ongoing investigation.

A close Trump ally, ill- fated activist, played a major role in mobilizing young voters and frequently appeared on Fox News while hosting a popular podcast reaching 500,000 monthly listeners.