“We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a Wednesday X post. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Around an hour later, the president confirmed that Kirk had died.
“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,” said President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post. “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!”
According to the Utah Valley University X page, a shot was fired at 12:10 p.m. local time, directed at Kirk.
“He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody,” said the post, though Deseret News reported that the suspect was not in custody. Reporter Brian Schnee of KUTV2 also said that a “law enforcement source confirms Kirk was shot in the neck area.”
Turning Point USA chief marketing officer Marina Minas also confirmed he was shot in the neck area, per CBS News. She said: “He’s at the hospital. It doesn’t look good,” before Trump posted.
Social media posts began to pour in earlier claiming that Kirk, 31, had been shot. Many people shared video.
“I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely,” said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in a Wednesday X post. “Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”
“Charlie Kirk’s been shot in Utah!” said the utahspatriots Instagram account.
“This is horrible. Charlie Kirk was just shot. Pray for him,” said an X user who shared video.
“BREAKING NEWS: Charlie Kirk has been hit,” said another who shared video.
Kirk, a conservative media personality, was at the university as part of the Turning Point USA “American Comeback” or “Prove Me Wrong” tour, per the organization website. He founded Turning Point in 2012 and had become a powerful voice in conservative media. He also chaired the Students for Trump organization in 2020. Kirk grew up in the Chicago suburbs and went to Wheeling High School, according to the Journal & Topics newspaper group.
“His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and Axios has listed Charlie as one of the ‘top 10 most engaged’ Twitter handles in the world. Charlie is the host of ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ podcast, which regularly ranks among the top 10 shows on Apple News podcast charts,” per the Turning Point website.
He’s also known for being controversial.
CNN reported that a Turning Point USA aide said Kirk traveled with a private security contingent when on tour. That aide also said university police and local authorities were providing security at the rally. A crowd of thousands were in attendance, per the outlet.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” said President Donald Trump in a Wednesday social media post. Trump survived multiple assassination attempts last year.
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” said Vice President JD Vance in an X post. He added “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour,” in a follow-up post.
The president’s son, Eric Trump, also posted about the shooting on X: “Charlie Kirk is a great friend and an amazing person! Lara, Luke, Carolina and I will be praying for him, his wife Erika and their 2 children.”
While Kirk was a well-known conservative, Democratic politicians took to social media to condemn the shooting Wednesday.
“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America,” said former Vice President Kamala Harris. “I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Political violence has no place in our county. We must speak with moral clarity,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society.”
Utah Valley University said Wednesday afternoon that its campus was closed, with “classes canceled until further notice.” It added: “Police are investigating. Leave campus immediately. Follow police instructions.”