Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU). The 31-year-old conservative activist was addressing students under a tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong” when a single shot rang out.Disturbing footage from the scene shows Kirk clutching his neck as blood poured from his wound, while shocked students screamed and fled. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, confirmed his death and ordered American flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday.
Here’s what we know about the shooting:
Suspect remains at large
Police said a suspect has not yet been apprehended, though reports of a man being taken into custody briefly circulated online. Orem Mayor David Young confirmed that the shooter remains at large and that the university campus was placed on lockdown, with students told to “secure in place.”
Trump mourns a ‘tremendous person’
President Trump, who counted Kirk as a key political ally, paid tribute to him both on Truth Social and in an interview with the New York Post.“No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States better than Charlie,” Trump wrote online. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me.”Trump ordered American flags flown at half-mast until Sunday evening after the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. On Truth Social, @Trump shared that the “Legendary” debater had been killed, expressing condolences to his wife Erika and young family. He has been closely monitoring the situation as it develops and acknowledged Kirk’s impactful legacy.Trump described Kirk as “a very, very good friend” and “a tremendous person,” urging supporters: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk.”
Witness accounts from the scene
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was present at the event, said Kirk had just taken a question from the audience when the shot rang out.“As soon as I saw Charlie go back, you realise that it was a shot,” Chaffetz told Fox News. “It wasn’t as if there was a whole bunch of gunfire. It was one shot.”He added that security at the event appeared light, with only a small police presence.
Chaos on campus
Videos posted to social media show panic erupting as the shot was fired. Students screamed, ducked for cover, and rushed across a nearby fountain to escape the courtyard.Some in the crowd attempted to rush to Kirk’s aid as security hustled him away. A woman in a red “MAGA” hat was seen in tears, while others were filmed praying near the scene.
Conflicting reports of an arrest
Images circulating online showed an older white man being led away by police, with one officer reportedly heard saying, “He said he shot him, but I don’t know.”However, law enforcement later clarified that this individual was not the suspect. Confusion remains over whether the gunman fled the campus or is still in hiding.
Political leaders condemn violence
Politicians from across the spectrum denounced the shooting. Vice President JD Vance wrote: “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said disputes should be resolved “through debate, not violence.”Democratic leaders also expressed support. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the attack “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” while former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation.”
Utah Valley University locked down
UVU, Utah’s largest public university with nearly 47,000 students, was closed after the attack. Administrators confirmed the campus would remain under tight security while the search for the shooter continued.The event had already been controversial: a petition calling on the university to bar Kirk from speaking attracted nearly 1,000 signatures. Officials defended the appearance as an exercise in free speech and debate.
