On September 10, 2025, a single gunshot echoed Utah Valley University. The victim was Charlie Kirk, the leader of Turning Point USA. Once an influential figure of American rightwing activism, his death raised questions about who killed him, and what political and social effects caused by the death of Kirk would unleash across the nation.

Charlie Kirk was an American politician and a media influencer. At 18, he co-founded Turning Point USA, a campus organization that talks about conservative values. After a few years, he became one of the crucial supporters for American conservatism. His ideas were based on Christian values. However, Kirk’s stance on immigration and LGBTQ issues sparked mixed opinions about his talking. Supporters viewed him as a savior of speech and traditional values. However, opponents claimed he drives political divisions. As the host of the Charlie Kirk show, he speaks up for the rightwing politics. His political alliance with President Donald Trump makes his position in the Republican Party. After appearing as one of the youngest speakers at the 2016 Republican National Convention, he gained nationwide popularity. Since the mid 2020s, Charlie Kirk had become one of the most influential voices among young conservatives in the United States.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated while giving a speech. The gunfire came from the roof of the Losee Center, about 125 meters away from the garden. According to the FBI, a bolt action rifle was later found in the nearby woods. The FBI identified the murder as 22 years old Tyler Robinson. Investigators confirmed that Robinson’s DNA samples were found on the rifle, ammunition, and also weapon attachments. Messages recovered from his Discord account showed that he had written, “I can’t stand his hatred anymore,” shortly before the shooting. Eventually, prosecutors charged him with assassination.