Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10, 2025, and students who gathered in support of him said they would not be deterred from advocating for free speech despite the attack.
Two college students, cousins Anthony and McKinley Shinkle, who said they came to the campus event to support Kirk, told Fox News Digital they did not enter the venue but positioned themselves outside with signs reading "Charlie Kirk, American Hero" and "We Are Not Afraid." "Violence never works for those who use it, especially in this manner. We want to show that it doesn’t matter what you do. We are not afraid," McKinley Shinkle said. Anthony Shinkle said Kirk’s emphasis on free speech and family values had inspired them and that they would continue to speak out.
Students who attended the event described a scene that turned from a planned campus talk into confusion and fear after the shots. Some students said the noise initially sounded like a firecracker. "When I heard it, I thought it was a firecracker," international student Laura Lo told Fox News Digital. "I had never heard a gunshot in my life." Several students said they ducked, scrambled for cover and later huddled in classrooms as they tried to determine what had happened.
"We didn’t realize the severity of the situation until everyone started ducking down," Tiana Tao said. She and others questioned the level of security at the venue, saying there were no bag checks and no visible security presence near doors. "If we could walk in freely, anyone else could too," Tao said, adding that she felt less safe returning to campus.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the shooting. The FBI has released photos of a person of interest in the case, and federal and local law enforcement agencies have been conducting follow‑up interviews and evidence collection, officials said. The State Department issued a separate warning that it would move to revoke visas of foreigners who promote or "glorify violence" in connection with the incident.
Campus witnesses and students from abroad said the attack altered their perception of public political debate in the United States. "It’s actually a cool thing about America that you get to do that, debate peacefully, and then everybody gets to share their opinions," Lo said, but added that the episode had left her with increased apprehension about speaking publicly on politics.
Supporters who gathered after the shooting said they intended to make the attack a rallying point for continued free‑speech advocacy rather than a deterrent. The Shinkles said they hoped to channel anger and fear into reaffirmation of principles they associate with Kirk’s public work.
News of the shooting also reverberated in Washington, where lawmakers and staffers expressed heightened concern about political violence and their own security. The incident prompted briefings and reviews of safety protocols among congressional offices, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Kirk, a high‑profile conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, had been a frequent figure on college campuses and in national political debate. His shooting has intensified scrutiny of security at public political events and on university campuses, and federal authorities said they were coordinating with local law enforcement to investigate the circumstances of the attack.
University officials and law enforcement urged students and community members to follow official guidance as the investigation continues and to report any information that might assist authorities. Counseling and support services were made available to students at the campus in the days following the shooting.
The investigation remains active. Federal and local officials have not released additional information about a motive or the status of any charges pending as of the latest briefings, and they urged patience while evidence is processed and leads are pursued.
