Turning Point USA founder and president Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Wednesday afternoon.
Police say that a suspect is in custody, but at this point little else is known.
Speaking on Fox News, Jason Chaffetz, who was at the event, said Kirk had some security in front of him at the event on the campus quad, where several hundred people had gathered to hear Kirk speak. Kirk was fielding a question about trans shooters when a single shot was fired, appearing to strike Kirk around his neck.
FBI Director Kash Patel says the agency is “closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” adding that "agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox reported that he's being briefed by law enforcement, vowing that "those responsible will be held fully accountable,”and adding "violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”
🚨BREAKING — Charlie Kirk shot at an event at Utah Valley University.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 10, 2025
Condition unknown at this time.
Pray for Charlie. 🙏pic.twitter.com/gbXKgWr1r7
The Deseret News reports "an older man was arrested and taken into police custody," but had no additional details on the suspect. A post on X purports to show the suspect in custody.
The man who shot Charlie Kirk pic.twitter.com/Fd5yXgJJFG
— #JustinYourFriend (@justin_hicken) September 10, 2025
This is a breaking news story and we'll have more updates as information becomes available.
**UPDATE***
In a statement, officials with Utah Valley University stated "there was a shot fired from the top of the Losee Center,” adding that “someone appeared to be at the top of that building or somewhere inside. We don’t know if they’ve been apprehended.”
A suspect was taken into custody, university officials said, while officers on the scene could not confirm if a suspect had been arrested or other details about the alleged shooter.
University officials said classes were being canceled for the day and the lower campus was being evacuated.
The garbage media at MSNBC is already predicting that President Trump will use the shooting to do something, ignoring that anti-gun politicians and the gun control lobby routinely use tragedies like this to call for more restrictions on our Second Amendment rights.
🚨NOW — MSNBC is saying that the administration is going to "use this" to send a message.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 10, 2025
What heinous people they are. https://t.co/fMkwdfn4ya pic.twitter.com/Kbp6jHCibM
Gun control activists are already reacting to the news of Kirk's shooting.
Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona), who was shot and severely wounded at a constituent event near Tucson in 2011, said she and her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), were praying for Kirk’s recovery.
“I’m horrified to hear that Charlie Kirk was shot at an event in Utah. Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence,” Giffords, who co-founded an eponymous gun safety group after she was injured, wrote on X.
Fred Guttenberg, an activist whose daughter was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, called the news “horrible.”
“Truly hope he is ok. My fight to reduce gun violence is to benefit all of us and our rights to be free from gun violence. I would love to hear from others on the right who understand this and agree. Let’s work together,” Guttenberg wrote on X.
The nonprofit group Brady: United Against Gun Violence also denounced political violence and called for “a united response to America’s gun violence crisis.”
I'm in full agreement that there is no place for political violence. I havre a feeling, though, that Guttenberg and I are going to disagree on what the response to this act of political violence should be. And if Brady's wants a "united response" to acts of political violence, the group should stop trying to use horrific and tragic events like this to target a fundamental civil right.
***UPDATE***
The Deseret News now reports that the suspected shooter is not in custody, contrary to earlier reporting.
UVU spokesperson Scott Trotter released a statement saying the suspect is not yet in custody.
“On September 10, 2025, at 12:20 a single shot rang out in the quad near the food court on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus as Mr. Charlie Kirk began speaking at his planned rally. We can confirm that Mr. Kirk was shot, but we don’t know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating Campus is closed for the rest of the day.”
Initially it was believed that a shooter was in custody, but officials now say the suspect is not in custody.
***UPDATE***
President Donald J. Trump has posted on Truth Social that Charlie Kirk is dead at the age of 31.
Kirk leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a legion of friends and supporters who are grieving his death.
At 31 years old, Charlie Kirk has passed away after being shot at a campus event in Utah.
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 10, 2025
Please join us in prayer for him and his family.
His dedication to his God, his family, and his country will continue to inspire countless Americans, and his legacy will live on forever.… pic.twitter.com/6SIMYiF2uc
Towhall Media parent company Salem Media, who hosted Kirk's radio show, has released an official statement on Kirk's assassination mourning the death of their friend and colleague and paying tribute to his character and fearless voice.
Salem Media Group, Inc., (OTCQX: SALM) announces with profound sorrow that it mourns the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who was taken from us today in a vile attack at Utah Valley University. This was a cowardly and vile act of violence, carried out to silence one of America’s boldest Christian conservative voices.
Our hearts are shattered for Charlie’s wife, family, friends, colleagues, and the countless people whose lives he touched through his words, his work, and his unwavering commitment to faith and country.
“Charlie was more than a broadcaster—he was a fearless defender of truth and a faithful servant of God,” said Salem CEO David Santrella. “This assassination was not just an attack on Charlie, it was an attack on free speech and on the values Charlie championed every day. His absence leaves a tremendous void, but his legacy of faith, courage, and conviction will continue to inspire generations.”
“I have had the privilege of working with Charlie for nearly a decade,” said Bradley Parscale, Chief Strategy Officer of Salem Media. “He was part of the Salem family. His voice was fearless, unyielding, and relentless in the defense of faith and freedom. This heinous act of evil was meant to silence him, but as Christians, we know darkness cannot overcome the light. Charlie’s influence cannot and will not be silenced.”
Charlie’s partnership with Salem Media was defined by his uncompromising defense of biblical values, liberty, and truth. Through his nationally syndicated show and podcast, he reached millions who relied on his voice to cut through lies, honor truth, and give courage to those fighting for faith and freedom.
Salem Media extends its most heartfelt condolences to the Kirk family, Charlie’s friends, and the millions of Americans and people across the world who are grieving this senseless loss.
In this painful hour, we urge believers everywhere to join us in prayer—asking God to comfort Charlie’s family, strengthen those who grieve, and give us the resolve to continue the mission he so boldly carried.
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