Editor’s note: Officials initially said a suspect was in custody but they’ve retracted that statement and say the shooter remains at large.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, sending thousands of attendees into panic and prompting law enforcement to secure the scene.
The shooting took place around midday at the university’s courtyard, where Kirk—founder and board chair of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA—was leading a campus event. Witnesses said he flinched and collapsed after a single gunshot, with visible bleeding from his neck.
The university issued a campus alert notifying students that the school had been evacuated. The shooter remains at large.
Kirk was quickly removed from the scene by his security team and transported to a nearby hospital. His exact condition has not yet been confirmed publicly.
Political leaders swiftly reacted. Utah Sen. Mike Lee urged supporters to pray for Kirk and the students in attendance. Former President Donald Trump and other national figures echoed messages of support and condemned the violence. The FBI is assisting local authorities in the investigation.
Who is Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk, 31, is a prominent right-wing activist, author and media personality. He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at the age of 18 and serves as its executive director. The group is a conservative nonprofit known for campus outreach and advocacy for fiscal conservatism, free markets and limited government.
Kirk has also established several affiliated organizations, including Turning Point Action and Turning Point Faith. He hosts The Charlie Kirk Show, a widely streamed conservative talk program, and has authored multiple books promoting conservative activism on college campuses.
He rose to national prominence through campaigns such as the Professor Watchlist and School Board Watchlist, and has been an outspoken ally of Trump, drawing both strong support and sharp criticism for his rhetoric.
Kirk has a wife and two young children.
