Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on Wednesday afternoon during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. while Kirk was addressing a crowd under a white pop-up tent. A loud gunshot rang out mid-speech, prompting chaos and panic among attendees. Eyewitnesses captured video footage showing the moment of the shooting and the crowd’s terrified reaction, with people yelling, “Run, run, run!”
According to university spokesperson Ellen Treanor, the gunshot came from a nearby building roughly 200 yards away. Kirk was reportedly struck and immediately evacuated from the scene by his security team. The campus was swiftly placed on lockdown as law enforcement responded to the active shooter situation. Authorities later confirmed that a suspect had been apprehended and was in custody, though no motive has yet been publicly disclosed.
Footage from the event revealed that Kirk was responding to a controversial question about transgender mass shooters in America just seconds before the gunfire. His last words before being shot were reportedly, “Too many.” Investigators are now reviewing the timing and content of the question to determine whether it may have been linked to the shooter’s motive. The possibility of a politically motivated attack remains under consideration as part of the broader investigation.
The attack sparked immediate and widespread condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump described the shooting as “horrifying” and urged the nation to pray for Kirk’s recovery. Vice President J.D. Vance and Utah Senator Mike Lee also expressed support and solidarity. Notably, several Democratic governors—Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer, and Wes Moore—joined in denouncing the violence.
Governor Shapiro emphasized that “political violence has no place in our country,” a sentiment echoed by former Vice President Kamala Harris. In a rare moment of bipartisan unity, both Republicans and Democrats called for calm and condemned the escalation of political tensions into violence. The incident has renewed national concerns over the safety of public figures and the increasingly volatile climate surrounding political discourse.
As the investigation continues, the university remains under tight security, and details about the shooter, their motive, and Kirk’s condition are expected to emerge in the coming days. For now, the nation watches with concern, hoping for clarity and resolution in the wake of a deeply disturbing attack on free speech and civic engagement.
