Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, died after being shot Wednesday at an event at a Utah college, according to President Donald Trump.”The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” the president said in a post to Truth Social. Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.” A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away. The AP was able to confirm the videos were taken at Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus.Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. The event had been met with divided opinions on campus. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”A host of elected officials have responded to the news of the shooting. Vice President and former Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance shared Trump’s statement, captioning his post, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”Democratic Congressman Greg Landsman shared a post to X, responding to news of the shooting.”This is absolutely horrible. We do not harm people we disagree with. This violence has no place in America. I am praying for him and his family,” he said in a post.Ohio U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno and Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also shared posts, calling for prayers.Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Action shared a post, saying, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed seeing the attack on Charlie Kirk today in Utah. Political violence is an assault on democracy and no belief, grievance, or cause could ever justify such an act. I’m holding onto hope for his recovery. My prayers go out to his family.”Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the act of violence “completely unacceptable.””Fran and I are shocked and saddened by the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today. Political violence is completely unacceptable anywhere and at any time. We are praying Charlie and his family,” the governor said in a post to social media.
Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, died after being shot Wednesday at an event at a Utah college, according to President Donald Trump.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” the president said in a post to Truth Social.
Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.” A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away. The AP was able to confirm the videos were taken at Sorensen Center courtyard on the Utah Valley University campus.
Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. The event had been met with divided opinions on campus. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”
A host of elected officials have responded to the news of the shooting.
Vice President and former Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance shared Trump’s statement, captioning his post, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Democratic Congressman Greg Landsman shared a post to X, responding to news of the shooting.
“This is absolutely horrible. We do not harm people we disagree with. This violence has no place in America. I am praying for him and his family,” he said in a post.
Ohio U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno and Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also shared posts, calling for prayers.
Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Action shared a post, saying, “Enough is enough. I’m deeply disturbed seeing the attack on Charlie Kirk today in Utah. Political violence is an assault on democracy and no belief, grievance, or cause could ever justify such an act. I’m holding onto hope for his recovery. My prayers go out to his family.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine called the act of violence “completely unacceptable.”
“Fran and I are shocked and saddened by the shooting of Charlie Kirk in Utah today. Political violence is completely unacceptable anywhere and at any time. We are praying Charlie and his family,” the governor said in a post to social media.