During an American Comeback Tour, which the Turning Point USA chapter hosted at Utah Valley University, Kirk, 31, was seen shot in the neck in a video posted on X (warning, graphic) with at least hundreds in attendance
Esther Wickham
The Center Square
Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder and executive director and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck on Wednesday at a Utah Valley University event, and has been confirmed dead by the White House.
During an American Comeback Tour, which the Turning Point USA chapter hosted at Utah Valley University, Kirk, 31, was seen shot in the neck in a video posted on X (warning, graphic) with at least hundreds in attendance.
After the shots were fired, there is video footage seen of students on campus running away from the sound of gunshots, the Guardian reported.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika and family. Charlie, we love you!” Trump posted on X.
School authorities indicated that the shots originated from the roof of the Losee Center, roughly 200 yards from Kirk.
The gunfire happened 20 minutes into Kirk’s event. The person who was taken into custody has been released, according to a UVU spokeswoman, Ellen Treanor.
Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, has officially closed its campus and canceled all classes until further notice.
In a post on X, the university urged all individuals to leave campus immediately and comply with police instructions as the investigation continues, Newsweek reported.
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance posted to X.
“Tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there,” U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X.
Founded by Kirk in 2012, Turning Point USA advocates for conservative politics on college and university campuses and at high schools. It has chapters on more than 300 campuses nationwide.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on X.
The Chair and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association have released a joint statement responding to this event, calling on leaders to condemn political violence.
“As Governors, we stand together—Republicans and Democrats—in condemning political violence in every form. The incident today in Utah involving Charlie Kirk is a stark reminder that violence has no place in our democracy, in our states, or in our communities,” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Maryland Governor Wes Moore released in a joint statement. “Our responsibility as Governors is to safeguard public safety and protect the democratic institutions that make America strong. Disagreements must be addressed through dialogue, debate, and the democratic process; not through intimidation or harm.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
This report was first published by The Center Square.
Also read:
- Washington begins to assess damage from record flooding
State and local officials are assessing widespread damage after record flooding across western Washington, with thousands still under evacuation orders and more rain in the forecast. - Youth Efforts Against Hunger delivers 10,500 pounds of high-quality protein to Clark County Food Bank
Youth Efforts Against Hunger delivered 10,500 pounds of high-quality protein to the Clark County Food Bank, turning youth projects at the Clark County Fair into thousands of meals for local families. - Letter: ‘If we want workable immigration reform, we must first restore basic human dignity to the debate’
Vancouver resident John Ford argues that restoring human dignity to public discourse is essential before meaningful immigration reform can occur. - Santa’s Posse delivers Christmas joy once again
Hundreds of volunteers joined Santa’s Posse to deliver toys and food to 1,500 families across Clark County, continuing a long-running holiday tradition rooted in community service. - Opinion: Is the cheap fast-food burger a thing of the past?
Mark Harmsworth argues that rising minimum wages and B&O tax increases are driving higher food prices and squeezing low-income consumers and small businesses across Washington state. - Opinion: Blood on the highways fails to move Ferguson and Kotek
Lars Larson criticizes Washington and Oregon governors over licensing policies he says are linked to deadly truck crashes and ongoing highway safety risks. - Letter: ‘When we curtail one group’s rights we leave open the door to losing our rights too’
Camas resident Anthony Teso argues that constitutional protections apply to immigrants and warns that limiting one group’s rights risks undermining everyone’s civil liberties.
A Bear Has Been Poked.