Political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead Wednesday afternoon.

Charlie Kirk, well known American right-wing political activist and media personality, was rushed to the nearest hospital in critical condition on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, before eventually passing away later that afternoon.

The CEO and co-founder of the organization Turning Point USA was speaking at a debate hosted by a nonprofit political organization at the University of Utah. According to now viral social media posts, Kirk was seemingly taking questions from the audience. One questioner asked: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk briefly responded, “Too many.” The audience member then asked the follow-up: “Do you know how many mass shooters have been in America in the last 10 years?”

Kirk responded with the question, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Almost immediately after responding, Kirk was seen limp. Audience members heard a loud bang before watching horrific amounts of blood flow from the side of his neck. Students screamed and ran from the scene immediately after, and Kirk was swarmed and taken to the hospital.

Viewers and readers all over the world were constantly reloading their social media pages, eager for insight on Kirk’s critical condition until President Trump officially announced Charlie Kirk had passed away. Former President Biden added, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence.” The suspect of the shooting is not in custody as of this moment, according to Utah University, despite previous announcements at the school.

Trump orders all American flags be lowered to half staff in honor of Kirk until 6:00 p.m. this Sunday. People all over the world—despite political opinions—are in shock at Kirk’s sudden, brutal death, and it stands as a reminder of political violence in the United States today.