A flood of tributes from people all over the political spectrum started pouring in after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA event in Utah on Sept. 10.

Kirk founded the conservative student organization in 2012 and made a name for himself as a stalwart supporter of President Donald Trump, who broke the news of the 31-year-old's death on his Truth Social platform.

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," the president wrote. "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 right-wing activist was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem when the shooting occurred. Videos posted online show blood seemingly coming from Kirk's neck after the gunshot rang out.

TPUSA had previously confirmed that Kirk was taken to the hospital.

Initially Trump had sent well wishes, writing, "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"

Vice President JD Vance—who, according to NBC News, was Kirk's personal pick for the office before Trump formally announced him as his running mate—wrote in a post on X, "Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who hosted Kirk in March for an across-the-aisle conversation on the premiere episode of his podcast This Is Gavin Newsom, also wrote on X, "The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form."

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox agreed, posting on X, "Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”

Kirk, known for controversial takes on matters of race, immigration, and other cultural issues, became one of the most influential players in the right-wing media ecosystem, his daily Charlie Kirk Show rising to No. 1 in the crowded conservative podcasting arena, according to Salem Media, his podcast's home since 2021.

"This isn't just a win for Charlie," Salem Media Group CEO David Santrella said in April. "This is a defining moment for conservative media. The torch has been passed, and we're not looking back."

Here is what to know about Kirk:

Who is Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was born on Oct. 14, 1993, and grew up in Wheeling, Ill. (His hometown allegiance remained: While he lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., with his family, on the Sept. 9 episode of his podcast he lamented the Chicago Bears' Monday Night Football loss.)

A former Eagle Scout, he said in a 2015 speech to the Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley, per the New Yorker, that his "No. 1 dream in life" was to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, but that didn't pan out.

He briefly attended Harper College, a community college in Palatine, Ill., but left without finishing a degree to pursue activism full-time.

"I joke that I wasn’t smart enough to go to a four-year school," Kirk quipped to the New Yorker in 2017.

Was Charlie Kirk married?

Kirk married wife Erika Frantzve in 2021. According to her Instagram bio, the 2012 Miss Arizona USA winner hosts the Midweek Rise Up podcast and is owner of the faith-driven clothing brand PROCLAIM x BIBLEin365.

They shared a 3-year-old daughter and 15-month-old son.

What is Charlie Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA?

Kirk and tea party activist William Montgomery founded the nonprofit Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 to, according to the organization's website, "identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government."

After throwing his support behind Trump in the 2016 presidential race, Kirk served as a personal aide to Donald Trump Jr., during the general election campaign, according to the Associated Press. The exposure led to cable news appearances, more speaking engagements and the launch of his own radio show.

Trump himself paid Kirk a number of compliments, calling the young activist "incredible" and "a special talent" during a Dec. 22 Las Vegas rally.

What happened to Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was speaking at a Sept. 10 TPUSA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, a stop on his "American Comeback Tour," when he was shot about 20 minutes into his presentation.

According to the school, his security team removed him from the premises.

Videos circulating on social media showed Kirk standing under a tent while speaking to the crowd. After a shot rang out, blood appeared visible as he physically recoiled and slumped in his seat.

Before Trump shared on Truth Social that Kirk had died, FBI Director Kash Patel vowed his agency's support, writing in a post on X, "Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation."

See photos of Kirk in happy times with his family:

Charlie Kirk celebrated the 1st birthday of his son—born in May 2024—and reflected on the impact that being a dad has had on him and his wife Erika Frantzve Kirk.

“He has brought an infinite amount of joy and laughter into our lives,” he wrote on Instagram. “Being a parent is an incredible gift, made far better because I get to do it alongside @mrserikakirk.

Erika celebrated Charlie for “being the most intentional husband and daddy” with a Father’s Day post on Instagram, which included a video of him buying their daughter a new doll.

“You have to be on very good behavior to get something like this,” the conservative activist told his daughter while grabbing a doll from the store shelf. “Have you been a good girl? OK, I’ll get it for you.”

In a Fourth of July video, the former Miss Arizona USA shared how the celebration of freedom reminds her of her love for Charlie.

“On days like today when the skies erupt in red, white, and blue and the air hums with the sound of freedom I find myself especially grateful for the man I call my husband,” Erika wrote on Instagram. “I love how much he loves this country. He believes that the freedoms we celebrate today are worth defending every day.”

“And while you may not agree with every word he says, I hope you can still be stirred by the fact that he can say them,” she continued. “That we can all speak. That this land, although imperfect in some ways and perfect in others, is stitched together by a Constitution that beautifully protects our voice, our worship, our homes, and our hope.”

She added, “That alone is something worth celebrating.” 

The Turning Point USA co-founder celebrated his eldest’s 3rd birthday with a memory of himself building sandcastles on the beach.

“Happy birthday to our incredible daughter,” Charlie wrote on Instagram. “Teaching her to know God, alongside @mrserikakirk, is the greatest privilege. Having a family will change your life in the best ways, so get married and have kids. You won’t regret it.” 

Charlie and Erika took their kids to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, which Erika saw as an opportunity to live her childhood again “through their eyes.”

“Am I providing a childhood for my kids that will be one that compels them toward gratitude and faith, or one that sends them searching for healing in places I failed to give it?” she wrote on Instagram. “And the answer to that, in all honesty, is being written once the decision is made.”

She added, “This window is short, drench yourself in it.” 

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