Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Campus Event; UVU Locks Down as Probe Ramps Up

Conservative organizer Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday during a Turning Point USA stop at Utah Valley University in Orem, prompting an immediate campus lockdown and a full-court law-enforcement response. Kirk’s condition wasn’t immediately known; his organization said he was taken to a hospital after his security team rushed him from the scene.

“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, calling him “a great guy.”

Leaders in both parties quickly condemned the attack and urged calm.

What happened, according to officials and witnesses

• One shot fired. UVU said a single gunshot was fired as Kirk was speaking outdoors on campus.
• Distance shot. A university spokesperson said the round was fired from the Losee Center, roughly 200 feet from the stage area.
• Security removed Kirk. The school said Kirk was “taken from the location by his security.”
• Confusion over a suspect. UVU initially said a suspect was in custody, then later clarified no one was in custody as police continued to investigate.
• Light screening. Attendees told reporters there were no metal detectors or bag checks and, in some cases, tickets weren’t scanned at the entrance.

UVU closed campus and canceled classes for the rest of the day, instructing students and staff to shelter until escorted out by police. The university is about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City and is the state’s largest public school by enrollment.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said FBI and ATF agents are on the scene. FBI Director Kash Patel said federal agents are assisting local authorities. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting “horrifying,” pledged full accountability, and urged Americans “of every political persuasion” to condemn political violence.

Support and prayers for Kirk poured in from Republicans and Democrats alike. House and Senate leaders from both parties condemned the attack; California Gov. Gavin Newsom called it “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” adding that political violence must be rejected “in EVERY form.”

Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and has become one of the most influential pro-Trump activists, especially on college campuses. TPUSA says it’s built a large youth network, and Kirk’s podcast and campus tours have been key to GOP outreach to Gen Z voters. Wednesday’s event was the first stop of his fall American Comeback Tour.

What we still don’t know

• Kirk’s medical condition and the extent of his injuries
• The shooter’s identity, motive, and whether the suspect acted alone
• How the shooting position was accessed and whether any security lapses contributed
• Whether future stops on Kirk’s campus tour will be postponed or canceled

The shooting lands amid heightened tensions and a series of recent high-profile political violence incidents. UVU’s quick lockdown and the rapid federal assist underscore how campus events—especially political ones—are now treated like potential soft-target security operations. For now, investigators are piecing together how a single shot upended a packed outdoor event—and whether this was a one-off attack or a warning sign for the campus speaking circuit this fall.

CNN, NBC News, Axios, and Politico contributed to this report.