Died 90 minutes after being shot

The audience panicked as he slumped in his chair, blood spilling, and chaos erupted across the venue.

Local authorities confirmed that Kirk was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment, but he sadly died about 90 minutes after being shot.

Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, their three-year-old daughter, and a 16-month-old son.

The FBI confirmed that no one is currently in custody for the shooting. Earlier in the day, a suspect had been detained but was released after questioning.

Authorities have labeled the attack a “political assassination” and believe the shooter acted alone, firing from the top of the Losee Center roughly 200 feet from where Kirk was speaking.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated:

”The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”

Outspoken about crime and mass shootings

Known for his staunch pro-Trump views and traditional values, Kirk frequently engaged in spirited debates at colleges nationwide as part of his American Comeback Tour. He had previously faced opposition at UVU, where a petition to bar him from campus gathered more than 7,000 signatures.

Kirk was outspoken about crime and mass shootings while defending the Second Amendment. At a Turning Point USA event in May 2023, he said: