Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, has died at 31 after being shot during an event at a Utah college. Donald Trump, who called Kirk a “very, very good friend,” shared the news on Truth Social: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” The tragedy unfolded when an audience member approached the microphone to challenge Kirk on mass shootings. Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his “American Comeback Tour” when he was shot in the neck and killed.