Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, with witnesses reporting he was struck near the neck during a student Q&A session.
The shooting occurred at approximately 1:20pm local time on Wednesday as Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was conducting his “American Comeback Tour” event in the university courtyard. A suspect has been taken into custody, according to university officials.
Witnesses describe scenes of chaos as a single gunshot rang out from the top of the nearby Losee Center building, approximately 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking. Students screamed and ran for cover as Kirk’s security team immediately removed him from the premises.
Attack During Q&A Session
The shooting occurred about 20 minutes into Kirk’s presentation, ironically as a student was asking him a question about mass shootings, according to multiple witnesses. Video footage posted on social media shows attendees scrambling for safety as the shot was fired.
“He said there was one loud gunshot and Kirk’s head flew back,” local journalist Heidi Hatch posted on social media, quoting her son who was present at the event. “Kids started screaming and running.”
A Utah Valley University spokesperson told NBC News that Kirk was struck and taken away by his security team, though his current condition remains unknown. The university confirmed he was the sole person shot at the event.
Campus Lockdown and Arrest
Utah Valley University immediately issued an alert confirming “a single shot fired at a visiting speaker on campus” and implemented a lockdown of the area. The university confirmed that police are investigating and a suspect is in custody.
“We do know there was a shot fired from the top of the Losee Center,” UVU said in a statement. “Someone appeared to be at the top of that building or somewhere inside.”
Social media posts appeared to show an individual being detained shortly after the shooting, though authorities have not released any information about the suspect’s identity or potential motive.
Political Figures React
The shooting has prompted immediate reactions from political figures across the spectrum. Utah Senator Mike Lee posted on social media: “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
Vice President JD Vance called for prayers, describing Kirk as “a genuinely good guy and a young father.”
Just minutes before the shooting, Kirk had posted enthusiastically on social media at 2:23pm EST: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”
Controversial Figure on Campus Circuit
Kirk, who co-founded the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA in 2012, has been a polarising figure on college campuses across America. His appearances often draw both passionate supporters and vocal protesters.
The event at Utah Valley University had been controversial even before Wednesday’s shooting. A petition had been created attempting to prevent Kirk from appearing at the university, reflecting the divisive nature of his campus tours.
Kirk’s organisation, Turning Point USA, has chapters at hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States and is known for its conservative activism and support of former President Donald Trump. Kirk was a prominent speaker at the 2024 Republican National Convention and has been described as one of the most influential young conservatives in American politics.
Campus Tours and Security Concerns
The shooting raises serious questions about security at political events on college campuses, particularly for controversial speakers who often face protests and disruption. Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” includes scheduled stops at universities across the country, with events typically described as “high-energy evenings featuring candid conversations about conservative values.”
This incident marks a dangerous escalation in political violence on American campuses, coming at a time of heightened political tensions and increasing concerns about the safety of public figures across the political spectrum.
The university has not announced whether classes will resume as normal or if additional security measures will be implemented. Kirk’s team at Turning Point USA said they are “looking into the incident” but have not released any official statement about his condition or future tour dates.
Investigation Ongoing
As this is a developing story, many details remain unclear, including the severity of Kirk’s injuries, the identity and motivation of the shooter, and whether additional security measures were in place for the event.
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are expected to join the investigation given the high-profile nature of the victim and the potential political implications of the attack.
Students who were present at the event are being offered counselling services, according to university officials, as the campus community grapples with the shock of violence at what was intended to be a political discussion event.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
