Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot during a midday event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025.
University officials said a single round was fired toward the visiting speaker, and Kirk was taken from the scene by his security team and transported to a hospital.
His condition was not immediately clear, though the Associated Press later reported he was in critical condition. Reuters and the Associated Press both confirmed the shooting.
What officials say happened
Utah Valley University issued a campus alert shortly after the incident stating that “a single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker,” adding that police were investigating.
A subsequent statement described the timeline as shortly after noon local time, with one update citing about 12:10 p.m. MDT and another describing about 12:20 p.m. as the moment shots were heard.
Early accounts also indicated the shot came from a building roughly 200 yards from the tented area where Kirk was speaking. Those details were echoed in reporting by Reuters and by local outlets summarizing the university’s alerts.
Video from the event showed Kirk addressing attendees from under a white pop-up tent when a single crack rang out, prompting the crowd to scatter.
Witness clips circulated widely on social media and in broadcast reports, while the university told students and staff to clear the area and follow police directions. ABC News reported that Kirk was taken to a local hospital and that a single shot had been fired shortly after noon.
Campus status and investigation
UVU said the Orem campus was closed for the rest of the day as officers secured buildings and processed the scene. The university asked anyone still on campus to comply with police instructions.
CBS News reported that campus police and local authorities were leading the investigation, and federal agencies were monitoring developments.
There were conflicting early reports about a suspect. Initial messages from the university and several outlets said a suspect was in custody, while some local reporting later quoted a spokesperson saying the suspect was not yet in custody.
The discrepancy, common in fast-moving situations, was reflected in coverage by CBS News and by the Deseret News, which published an update noting the walk-back. Authorities had not released the suspect’s identity or a possible motive as of Wednesday afternoon.
Reactions from political leaders
Messages of support for Kirk arrived within hours. President Donald Trump wrote on social media, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk,” a statement noted in multiple national reports. Vice President J.D. Vance also posted that people should “say a prayer,” according to several outlets tracking official reactions.
Utah Senator Mike Lee said he was monitoring the situation and asked the public to pray for those present.
Additional statements from state and local officials called for calm while investigators worked the case. Early reports did not include details on when further updates would be provided.
Event context and tour schedule
Kirk’s Wednesday appearance at UVU was billed as part of his American Comeback Tour, a series of campus stops organized with student groups.
Axios reported that the UVU event and an upcoming visit to Utah State University had drawn petitions and protests from students opposed to Kirk’s views. The university allowed the event to proceed, citing its commitment to hosting outside speakers and to student-organized programming.
Footage from the scene matched the tour’s typical setup, with a white tent and signage visible behind Kirk during a Q&A. Video reviewed by national outlets, including the Associated Press, showed the moment the shot was fired and the rapid evacuation that followed.
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials had not indicated when the UVU campus would fully reopen or whether additional events on the tour would be postponed.
What we know about Kirk’s condition
Turning Point USA confirmed that Kirk was hit and taken from the location by his security detail. ABC News reported that he was hospitalized following the shooting, and the Associated Press reported he was in critical condition.
Reporters emphasized that medical updates were limited as doctors assessed the injury, which multiple outlets described as a neck wound based on eyewitness video.
Kirk, 31, is known for his campus activism and media work through Turning Point USA, as well as his daily show.
Biographical details were not central to law enforcement updates on Wednesday, and officials focused on securing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and establishing how a single shot traveled from a nearby building to the rally area.
The hours ahead
Investigators were working to clarify the shooter’s location, the precise timeline between 12:10 p.m. and 12:20 p.m. MDT, and the custody status of any suspect. The university asked anyone with information or video to contact campus police.
Reporters at national and local outlets said they would continue to update as official statements were released.
As of early evening in Utah, authorities had not announced charges or released a suspect’s name. The condition of the victim, the final campus reopening time, and the full investigative findings were expected to be clarified in official updates later in the day.
Until then, UVU advised the public to avoid the area and respect the ongoing investigation.
