Kirk, a popular conservative political activist and media personality, was at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah as part of his “American Comeback Tour.”
OREM, Utah — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at an event in Utah on Wednesday, according to a Turning Point USA spokesperson.
Kirk, a popular conservative political activist and media personality, was at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” This was his first stop since resuming the tour.
Utah Valley University issued an alert that “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said agents will be on scene helping with the investigation.
“I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely,” Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote on social media. “Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” wrote Vice President JD Vance on social media.
His team posted to social media 20 minutes before the reported shooting, writing “Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.” The post has since been deleted.
The event started just after noon and was open to the public. His presence caused controversy on the campus recently, with the school paper The UVU Review reporting some were opposing him speaking.
Videos posted to social media show the aftermath of the reported shooting with dozens of people fleeing from the campus amphitheater.
Kirk is a right-wing activist and media personality most known for founding Turning Point USA, a group aimed at promoting conservative political positions on school campuses.
Kirk’s outspoken support of President Donald Trump’s policies have made him a hero to some young Republicans, and has drawn the ire of Democrats.
He has publicly promoted conspiracies, including falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen from Trump and boosting unsubstantiated rumors that the COVID-19 pandemic originated in a Chinese lab.
Turning Point USA and its sister organizations, Turning Point Action, Turning Point Academy, Turning Point Faith and the Turning Point Endowment, were all partially founded by Kirk, who began his political rise in 2012 as an 18-year-old when he was scouted by Tea Party activist Bill Montgomery.
Kirk became the face of a young Republican movement, supporting grassroots efforts to bring new blood into the party.
Kirk is married to Erika Frantzve, a podcaster and businesswoman. They have two children together.
No additional information is known at this time.