Charlie Kirk assassination at Utah Valley University: Mentor recounts final moments
Eyewitness account from Frank Turek details the moments after a shooting at the Utah campus and the ensuing aftermath as authorities charge a suspect
A shooting at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10 killed Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, according to authorities. The tragedy unfolded during a campus-speaking event, prompting a rapid medical response and a wave of statements from the conservative campus organization about Kirk’s life and work. Investigators have since charged a suspect in the case.
Frank Turek, a Christian apologist and Kirk's longtime mentor, described the events in a podcast, recounting how he joined the team on the drive to the campus, helped fine-tune responses to student questions, and witnessed the moment Kirk was shot as the event unfolded. He said he stood about 30 feet from Kirk and began FaceTiming family members as the group prepared for questions.
According to Turek, when the shot rang out, the team rushed to an SUV provided for the trip and began CPR while speeding to a hospital. He described the door to the vehicle as unable to close properly because Kirk was so tall, and he said they drove about four miles with the door open while they prayed and tried to save Kirk.
Doctors pronounced Kirk dead about 30 minutes after the shooting; hospital staff described the injuries as catastrophic. The Turning Point USA team immediately contacted Kirk's wife, Erika, and arranged for a plane to bring her to the scene, while also notifying Vice President JD Vance.
Erika Kirk arrived at the hospital and expressed resolve to carry on her husband's work. She told Turek that Charlie loved him and was pursuing his calling, and she said she intended to lead the Kirk legacy forward.
During the rush, Kirk's cross necklace went missing and later resurfaced; Turek found the necklace draped over his own computer bag, where Kirk had been lying as the team drove him to the hospital. Erika later held up the necklace in a photo as she escorted Kirk's body to a chapel in Arizona.
Alleged shooter Tyler Robinson was charged in connection with the killing. Investigators did not immediately have access to the SUV or personal items tied to the case as the police conducted their investigation.
Throughout the episode, Turek described Kirk as a fearless, Christ-centered leader whose humility, discipline and devotion to family shaped his public persona. He pushed back on critics who argued that Kirk’s remarks were inflammatory, noting that Kirk’s team aimed to explain his views in a way that aligned with his faith. The late founder had texted a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 16:9, the day before he was killed, a verse Turek said reflected Kirk’s view that a broad opportunity to do good often comes with adversity.
Image of the crowd at Utah Valley University during the event
The investigation and the fallout have kept Turning Point USA in the spotlight as it seeks to continue its outreach on college campuses and beyond. Supporters and critics alike will be watching how Erika Kirk leads the organization forward in the wake of her husband’s death, and how lawmakers and partners respond to the evolving conversation about political participation on campuses. The incident underscores how high-profile political organizing on campuses remains a flashpoint for broader national debates about safety, rhetoric and influence in U.S. politics.