The 31-year-old activist and founder of Turning Point USA was giving a speech when shots rang out.
Charlie Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump and executive director of Turning Point USA, was shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, police have confirmed.
The shooting occurred around 20 minutes into Kirk’s presentation. According to a university spokesperson, “we heard shots fired from a nearby building and to the best of our knowledge he was hit and taken with his security team away from the premises, and the courtyard was cleared.”
His current condition remains unknown.
The FBI is monitoring the situation closely.
Director Kash Patel wrote on X: “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Messages of support have already poured in.
Vice President JD Vance urged: “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
President Donald Trump echoed those words on Truth Social, writing: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Eyewitnesses described the chaos inside the venue.
“We heard a big loud shot, I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie, I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground,” said Justin Hickens, speaking to NBC News.
He added: “I turned around and saw officers walking with this very elderly gentleman with white hair. They had him arrested, they had him on his knees and he was screaming about his rights. They cuffed him and put him away.”
Hickens also noted that metal detectors were not in place at the event, though campus security had been stationed throughout the university.
The shooting comes at a time of heightened political violence in the United States.
Recent incidents include the assassination of a Minnesota state politician and her husband, the firebombing of a Colorado parade, and an arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s home.
The most high-profile act of political violence came last year, when President Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally, escaping with only a bloodied ear.
Featured image credit: Gage Skidmore
