Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Utah Valley University event
Conservative speaker Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem Wednesday afternoon.
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death with a Truth Social post:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump said. “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!”
Thousands of students in attendance at the event could be seen fleeing the blast from a gun in a scene on video posted moments after the shooting.
UVU sent an alert to students, saying “A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody.”
The university then sent the following press release at 1:11 p.m.: “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.”
A UVU alert said that all classes are canceled until further notice, and asked people to leave campus immediately.
An eyewitnesses at the event recounted what he saw to the Daily Herald.
“I was standing more towards the back, so I couldn’t really see a ton, but I did see the shot. I did see Charlie actually get shot,” said Braden Jensen. “At first I really didn’t know what to think, but then all of the sudden I saw blood come out and I knew it was real, and then literally, one second later, everybody hit the ground.”
Jensen said he thought there was “lackluster security,” and called the event “pretty chaotic.”
“There was security basically blocking people from the top bridge, making sure they weren’t standing directly above him, but that was about it,” he said. “Nobody even checked our tickets or anything. … (Security) was pretty terrible, and there was basically no coordination. Everybody just hit the ground, and then got up and ran eventually.”
People at the event immediately started posting on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter):
Utah leaders also responded to the news on social media.
Utah Sen. Mike Lee said via X, “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
“I am being briefed by law enforcement following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk during his visit to Utah Valley University today,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “We will continue to share updates. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. 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.”
“The shooting of Charlie Kirk has shocked and sickened me and my family,” former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said. “We extend our prayers and profound sorrow to Charlie and his family, many friends and followers. Another senseless act of violence appalls us.
Flags were lowered at the White House. President Donald Trump said in a message posted on X that “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!”
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance said.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, a national conservative student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of conservatism, free markets and limited government.
Kirk’s appearance at Utah Valley University marked the kickoff of his latest national college tour.
The tour featured Kirk’s ‘Prove Me Wrong Table’ where Kirk sat, as he did on Wednesday, fielding questions from students, including those who disagreed with him.
The conservative activist had scheduled events over the next two months at locations including Colorado State University, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Virginia Tech University, the University of North Dakota, Montana State University, Indiana University, Louisiana State University and the University of Mississippi.
The Daily Herald has reporters covering the story and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Editor’s note: The Daily Herald, based in Provo, Utah, is a sister paper to The Breeze and part of Ogden Newspapers.
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