Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, university officials said, and a suspect was taken into custody as police investigated.
Video posted online of the event captured the moment a single shot rang out as Kirk addressed the crowd. The footage shows Kirk falling backward after the shot, which appeared to strike his neck, and the audience dispersing in panic. Kirk was rushed to a hospital; his condition was not immediately known.
A university statement said "a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody." A university spokeswoman told The New York Times that a suspect had fired at Kirk from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away from the event site in Orem, Utah.
Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was in Utah for an event billed as the "American Comeback Tour." Shortly before the shooting was reported, Kirk posted on the platform X, "WE. ARE. SO. BACK," and Utah Valley University said the campus had been "fired up and ready" for the tour's first stop.
President Trump posted on Truth Social calling for prayers for Kirk, writing, "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!" FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that the agency was "closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting" and that agents would be on the scene to support the response and investigation. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he was "tracking the situation" and asked people to join him in praying for Kirk and the students at the event.
Leaders from across the political spectrum condemned the attack. California Gov. Gavin Newsom described the shooting as "disgusting, vile and reprehensible." Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, said she was "horrified" and urged that political disagreements never be met with violence.
Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk in 2012, is a youth-focused conservative organization that says it operates on thousands of college campuses. The group has made Kirk a prominent figure in conservative politics and a frequent commentator on national campaigns.
Utah Valley University officials and local law enforcement did not immediately release further details about the suspect, a possible motive or a timeline for Kirk’s medical status. The FBI and other federal and local agencies were reported to be assisting in the investigation.
The shooting prompted an immediate security response at the campus and renewed public attention on the safety of political events and the security of public figures. Authorities urged anyone with information or video of the incident to come forward as the investigation continued.
This is a developing story; further details may be released as law enforcement and medical officials provide updates.