Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot dead Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said, as federal, state and local law enforcement searched for the unidentified shooter.

The gunman, wearing dark clothing, fired from a rooftop at a distance while Kirk spoke during a campus event titled “The American Comeback Tour.” Videos show Kirk reaching up after a single shot struck his neck, as students screamed and fled. Kirk, 31, died at the scene.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the killing as a “political assassination,” saying the suspect would be held accountable under state law, which includes the death penalty. Two people were briefly detained but later released after authorities found no connection to the shooting.

Kirk, a prominent Trump ally, was taking questions on gun violence when the attack occurred. The event, organised by Kirk’s nonprofit Turning Point USA, attracted around 3,000 attendees. Campus police and Kirk’s security were present, and the university evacuated the area immediately. The campus will remain closed until Monday.

Former President Donald Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed “radical left” rhetoric for the attack. Tributes and condemnation poured in across party lines, including from Democratic leaders and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was wounded in a 2011 mass shooting.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah college

Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Kirk and William Montgomery, promotes conservative ideas among college students. Kirk became a key figure in conservative youth politics, supporting Trump’s campaigns and frequently appearing on cable TV to discuss culture and politics.

The shooting comes amid rising concern over political violence in the United States, with incidents targeting individuals across ideological lines, including recent attacks on lawmakers and public figures. Local authorities set up multiple active crime scenes around the university and canvassed the surrounding neighborhood for information, while helicopters patrolled overhead.

Students described the scene as chaotic, with some trampled or dropping belongings while fleeing. Witness Madison Lattin said she was “so scared, not just for him but for our own safety” and wept upon learning of Kirk’s death.