Did Charlie Kirk Die Instantly? A Timeline of the Shooting and His Death

Trump ally and conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot on Sept. 10, 2025, during a debate event at Utah Valley University. He was later pronounced dead that same day, sparking a surge of reactions from politicians, including the president himself, Donald Trump himself. For context, Charlie wasn’t just known for his outspoken nature but also for founding Turning Point USA at just 18 years old. He died at 31, leaving behind a wife and two children.

While his death has since been classified as a political assassination, there’s still much we don’t know. Questions remain about what motivated the shooter and whether Charlie died instantly after being struck in the neck by what authorities say was a high-powered bolt-action rifle, per BBC. The latter question is tied to the timeline of events, particularly the delay between when news of the shooting first broke and when his death was officially confirmed. Here’s what we know about his death.

While speaking on an outdoor stage during a Sept. 10, 2025, event at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk was shot in the left side of the neck as he sat on a stool addressing the crowd. More than 3,000 people had gathered for the free event, per The New York Times. Kirk had been seated under a tent that displayed “The American Comeback Tour” across the top, with “Prove Me Wrong” written along the rim.

Footage of the shooting, captured by bystanders and later shared on social media, not only caught the sound of the gunshot but also showed Kirk collapsing off his stool. Panic immediately followed as the crowd scattered. Initially, Kirk was presumed to still be alive as he was rushed in a private vehicle to a local hospital, according to The New York Times. This prompted a flood of prayers and messages on social media, with many hoping for a miracle.

According to Boise State Public Radio, the shooting occurred around 12:10 p.m., just 10 minutes after the event began. Oddly enough, someone in the crowd had asked Kirk a question about the number of mass shooters in the U.S. moments before he was shot, which can be heard in a clip from the event shared by @sameermassey64 on TikTok.

It’s not entirely clear whether Kirk died instantly. However, given the location of the wound and the amount of blood loss, mny assume he died either on the way to the hospital or shortly after arriving, where he was pronounced dead. Emma Pitts, a staff writer for Salt Lake City-based Deseret News who witnessed the shooting, recalled seeing “so much blood” pouring from his neck, per Boise State Public Radio.

A little after 2 p.m., it was officially announced that Kirk had died from the gunshot wound. The gap in time between the shooting and the death announcement likely stems from the time it took to transport him to the hospital, provide emergency care, and confirm that he had not survived.

As of this writing, Kirk’s shooter remains at large. However, authorities believe that based on video footage they’ve obtained, they will be able to identify him. If not, they plan to release the footage to the media for assistance, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said during a press conference.

Mason explained that authorities have been able to track the suspect’s movements. He reportedly arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m., then moved through stairwells up to the roof, across the roof to the shooting location, and after the attack, made his way to the other side of the building, jumped off, and fled through a nearby neighborhood.