Charlie Kirk, the conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA, was reported to be in critical condition after being shot Wednesday during an appearance at Utah Valley University, a former Turning Point USA manager told the New York Post.
The shooting took place at an event tied to Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” according to the account relayed to the newspaper. Video posted online and circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes inside the venue after shots were fired, the report said. Local law enforcement and university officials had not publicly confirmed Kirk’s condition or released detailed information about the incident by the time of the report.
The New York Post report attributed the initial condition update to a former Turning Point USA manager who was at the event. The manager told the paper that Kirk was shot and taken from the stage. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including any information about a suspect, motive or the number of people injured, were not detailed in the Post’s article.
Utah Valley University did not immediately provide details to the media. Police statements typically follow scene-securement, preliminary investigation and hospital notifications; no formal release confirming the report was available at the time of publication. Emergency medical responders were reported to have been on scene in the immediate aftermath, according to the social media footage and accounts cited by the Post.
Kirk, 35, is a prominent conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization that promotes conservative principles on college campuses. He has been a frequent public speaker at universities and political events in recent years and has drawn both large audiences and protests at some stops.
The American Comeback Tour was scheduled to include stops at multiple campuses and cities this year. Organizers and hosts typically coordinate with campus security and local law enforcement for such events; it was not immediately clear what security arrangements were in place at the Utah Valley University appearance.
Media and social platforms quickly shared footage from inside the venue, showing attendees running and taking shelter as the disturbance unfolded. Independent verification of what the footage shows beyond the chaotic evacuation was limited in the immediate aftermath, and authorities often caution that early, unverified video can be misleading as investigators assemble a timeline and establish facts.
Local law enforcement agencies customarily investigate shootings and release information as their inquiries progress and as victims are identified and notified. Hospitals also generally do not discuss patient conditions publicly without permission from the patient or their family.
Representatives for Turning Point USA and for Kirk could not be reached for confirmation of his condition at the time of the initial report. The university and law enforcement agencies involved did not immediately respond with public statements confirming the details reported by the former Turning Point USA manager.
News organizations will continue to monitor official releases from Utah Valley University and local law enforcement for confirmation of events, details about injuries and any information on suspects or charges as investigators proceed.