Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot today during an event at Utah Valley University, where he was scheduled to appear as part of his American Comeback Tour.
The shooting occurred during a question-and-answer session with students. Kirk is now in critical condition.
University officials initially said a suspect was in custody, but later clarified that no suspect has been taken into custody, according to KPTV.
“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA, told The Associated Press.
Videos from the event show Kirk being shot while speaking to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent. A single gunshot can be heard, and Kirk immediately reaches for his neck as blood pours from the left side. Screams are heard in the video as the crowd scatters.
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, writing, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Riley Gaines Barker, TPUSA contributor, right-wing activist and author of “Swimming Against the Current,” also responded to the shooting.
“I’m so sick. Literal disbelief. We have a sickness in our society. The truth is so hated,” Barker said in an Instagram post. “Stop what you’re doing and say a prayer to the Most High for Charlie Kirk and his family.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the shooting in a post on X.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
At a Turning Point USA event in 2023, Kirk said that gun deaths were “unfortunately” a price worth paying to protect the Second Amendment.
“You will never live in a society with an armed citizenry and have zero gun deaths. I think it’s worth having, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.”
Turning Point USA is the youth conservative organization Kirk co-founded and leads as CEO.
This is a developing story. The Tiger will update this article with additional information as it becomes available.
