Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah.

Here is what we know.

What happened?

Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September, 2025 as part of his American Comeback tour. He sat under a white gazebo to take questions from a crowd of about 3,000 in the university's quad, an outdoor courtyard.

At about 12:20, he is asked by a member of the crowd: Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years? He replies: Too many. The questioner then states there had been five in 10 years and asks Kirk how many mass shootings there had been in that time. Counting or not counting gang violence? Kirk replies. Then a single shot is heard, which is believed to have been fired from the roof of the Losee Center, a building overlooking the quad.

Kirk then slumps in his chair with a clearly visible wound to his neck. He is bleeding profusely as his staff get him off stage.

The crowds around the tent then begin to flee, and screams can be heard.

What do we know about the suspect?

No-one has so far been caught. On Thursday, the Salt Lake City office of the FBI released two photographs of a person of interest and asked for help identifying him. At a press conference hours earlier, FBI special agent Robert Bohls said that a high-powered, bolt-action rifle had been found in a wooded area near to the university.

An imported Mauser .30-06 bolt action rifle was found wrapped in a towel. A footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints were also discovered.

Beau Mason, Utah's public safety commissioner, reported that the gunman appeared to be of college age, and had blended in well with other students. They said good video footage showed a suspect jumping from a roof after the shooting and fleeing the campus.

In the hours afterwards, witnesses described what they had seen. I heard a loud shot, a loud bang and then I saw his body actually - in slow motion - kind of fall over, one witness said.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was one of the most high-profile right-wing activists and media personalities in the US. He was a trusted ally of Trump, attended his inauguration and regularly visited the White House. As an 18-year-old in 2012, he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a student organisation that aims to spread conservative ideals at liberal-leaning US colleges.

Kirk had many critics who saw him as a divisive figure that promoted controversial beliefs, but he also had his fans who credited him for his role in mobilizing younger voters for Trump.

What has the reaction been?

There has been shock, grief and anger across the political spectrum. 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, Trump stated.

However, the death has also highlighted the deep polarizations within American politics, with both sides of the aisle expressing vehement opinions about the circumstances surrounding Kirk's murder.

Is political violence in the US increasing?

The US has witnessed multiple politically motivated attacks, with experts noting a surge in incidents this year compared to previous years. Kirk's murder is the latest in a series of high-profile attacks against political figures, raising concerns about the implications for political discourse and safety in the country.