UPDATE
President Donald Trump has confirmed Kirk‘s death on a social media post.
The suspect in the shooting is still not in custody, according to a university spokesperson, even though the school had previously stated that someone had been detained by police
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Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot on Wednesday while appearing at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Turning Point USA, was hosting a campus event as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when shots rang out. The incident happened under a tent set up for a student Q&A session, sometimes described as a “Prove Me Wrong” booth. Witnesses reported panic as attendees scrambled for safety after Kirk was struck in the upper body, according to reports.
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University police confirmed that shots had been fired on campus. The suspect is NOT in custody. Video footage shared online showed the moment Kirk fell after being hit, with students screaming and rushing away. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, though it was recently announced that he has died.
Political leaders responded swiftly to the news. Utah Senator Mike Lee asked the public to pray for Kirk and the students at Utah Valley University, saying he was closely tracking developments. Other lawmakers also offered support and urged calm while law enforcement secured the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents were assisting in the investigation and monitoring for potential wider threats.
Kirk is known nationally as the face of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization that has focused heavily on outreach to college students and young voters. His events often draw strong crowds of supporters as well as protests from opponents, reflecting his polarizing position in American politics.
As of Wednesday evening, officials had not released details on the name of the suspect, or a possible motive. Authorities continue to investigate, and additional updates are expected in the coming hours.
