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Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, has been shot. The suspect is in custody, Utah Valley University said in a statement.
According to Kirk’s spokesperson, “Charlie Kirk has been shot at Utah Valley University. Condition unknown.”
Video posted from the event appeared to show Kirk being shot as he spoke to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent.
After the shot, the crowd dispersed, with onlookers shouting “Run, run, run!”
In a statement to Fox News, Ellen Treanor, Associate Vice President, Strategic Communication Management at Utah Valley University said that the shooting happened at about 12:20 p.m.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” the statement said.
“At about 12:20 shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel,” Treanor said. “The campus is closed for the rest of the day and our campus police has a suspect and custody.”
In a campus-wide alert, Utah Valley University said that: “A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now.”
The alert noted that the suspect is in custody. Their identity is unknown at this time.
Utah Valley University noted that the campus is “closed until further notice.”
“Ongoing police investigation. If you are still on campus follow police direction.”
Kirk had been scheduled to appear at Utah Valley University on Wednesday as part of his American Comeback Tour, with another stop at Utah State University later this month. His appearances have drawn protests and petitions from student groups critical of his views.
In a since-deleted post on Kirk’s social media just hours before the attack, the conservative firebrand wrote: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”
President Trump wrote on social media: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
In a statement on X, Vice President J.D. Vance wrote: “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Utah Senator Mike Lee posted to X shortly after news of the shooting broke, writing, “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote: “Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him.”
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