Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Campus; FBI Investigates Political Killing

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a key ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University. The gunshot, fired from a nearby building, struck Kirk in the neck, causing panic among the crowd of about 3,000 attendees. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a “political assassination,” highlighting a disturbing rise in political violence across the U.S. President Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and praised Kirk as a legendary figure who deeply understood America's youth. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed a person of interest was briefly detained but later released after interrogation, with investigations ongoing. The shooting has drawn bipartisan condemnation amid concerns over escalating politically motivated violence in the country.