Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Valley University Event

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened just after noon while Kirk was addressing a crowd under a white canopy tent on campus. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots from a distance, sparking panic as attendees rushed for safety. Event staff quickly pulled Kirk off stage, and he was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

Law enforcement confirmed that shots appeared to have been fired from a building approximately 200 yards away from the event site. An individual was taken into custody shortly after the shooting but was later released. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and have not identified a motive.

In response to the tragedy, Utah Valley University immediately shut down its campus, suspending both in-person and online classes. Students and staff were initially advised to shelter in place before being escorted off campus by security teams. University officials announced that campus operations will remain suspended through the weekend as the investigation continues.

News of Kirk’s death has drawn swift reactions from across the political spectrum. Supporters remembered him as a prominent and outspoken figure in conservative politics, while leaders called for restraint and calm in the wake of the violence.

Kirk had been in Utah as part of his American Comeback Tour, a series of campus events aimed at promoting conservative ideas and encouraging student activism. His death marks a shocking and violent end to a career that placed him at the center of national political debates.