Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies in shooting at Utah Valley University

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk died on Wednesday after being shot in the neck during a speaking event, Turning Point USA confirmed.

Kirk was shot Wednesday afternoon while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Kirk was transported to the hospital in critical condition immediately after the shooting, and died of his injuries just hours after the shooting took place.

Turning Point USA, the conservative activist organization Kirk co-founded, confirmed his death in a statement later on Wednesday.

"It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA's 'The American Comeback Tour' campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025," the organization's statement read.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Wednesday afternoon a suspect in the shooting was in custody. The FBI is expected to provide additional details when they are available.

Utah's Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said at a press conference on Wednesday that officials have a "person of interest" in custody in connection with the shooting.

Cox said officials continued to look for "anyone and everyone" who had information relating to the shooting. But he said there was no information that a second suspect was involved.

Authorities were analyzing CCTV footage on campus that purported to show images of the suspect, who appeared to be dressed in dark clothing.

The shooting occurred about 20 minutes after Kirk began speaking, at roughly 12:10 local time. Kirk "was hit and taken from the location by his security," Utah Valley University said in a statement.

Videos posted on social media show the moment of the shooting in the Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus. A single shot is heard, and Kirk, who was seated under a tent and holding a microphone, can be seen reaching for his bleeding neck.

School officials told Scripps News Salt Lake City gunshots were fired from the top of a building on campus approximately 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking.

Police initially announced they had apprehended one person at the scene of the shooting, who was later determined not to be the suspect.

One person, who is not believed to have been involved in the shooting, was charged with obstruction of justice.

At the press conference in Utah, officials said they believed the incident was a targeted attack, involving a single shot and a single victim.

"I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination," Gov. Cox said.

Other details about the suspected shooter or any of their motivations are not yet clear.

Police say they are continuing to investigate the shooting.

UVU Police Chief Jeff Long said some 3,000 people attended the open event on the campus, which had at least six police officers, including some plainclothes police officers, in the crowd.

Kirk's security team was also present with him at the moment he was shot.

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Kirk was the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a youth organization founded to advance conservative politics on American college and high school campuses.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for prayers for Kirk.

"A great guy from top to bottom," President Trump wrote. "GOD BLESS HIM!"

Cox said he had been briefed on the shooting and said "those responsible will be held fully accountable."

Utah Valley University is in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. It is the largest public university in the state, with nearly 47,000 students.

The campus was closed and classes were canceled on Wednesday. School officials told those on campus to shelter in place until police could come to escort them to safety.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.