Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot during a public event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
The incident occurred shortly after Kirk began speaking at a “Prove Me Wrong” debate session, part of his “American Comeback Tour.”
A single gunshot struck Kirk in the neck, causing immediate panic among attendees.
Witnesses reported that the shot came from a nearby building, and the suspect, described as an older man in a worker’s uniform, was apprehended shortly after the incident.
Following the shooting, the UVU Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order for the campus, and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, responded to the scene.
Kirk was transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition. His organization, Turning Point USA, confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from the public.
The shooting has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum.
Former President Donald Trump, Senators Mike Lee and Ashley Moody, and Vice President J.D. Vance have publicly expressed their concern and called for prayers for Kirk and those affected.
Democratic leaders, including Rep. Ro Khanna and Gov. Josh Shapiro, also condemned the act, emphasizing the need to reject political violence.
This attack adds to a troubling pattern of politically motivated violence in recent years, including previous assassination attempts on Donald Trump, an arson attack on Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence, and deadly assaults involving elected officials and public events.
Both Republican and Democratic leaders have called for unity and a collective stand against such acts of violence.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack and to ensure the safety of public events in the future.