Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Valley University Event

Charlie Kirk, the net property and cofounder of Turning Point USA, was changeable connected Wednesday day astatine Utah Valley University (UVU), wherever helium was holding an event. His information is presently unknown.

UVU instantly went into lockdown, according to Deseret News. UVU constabulary confirmed successful an exigency bulletin that the shooting of a “visiting speaker” took spot connected campus. Police accidental that the fishy is successful custody. The individuality of the fishy is presently unconfirmed.

UVU constabulary did not reply a telephone from WIRED. A TP USA spokesperson did not instantly respond to WIRED’s petition for comment.

“We are intimately monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk astatine Utah Valley University,” FBI manager Kash Patel said successful a connection connected X. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents volition beryllium connected the country rapidly and the FBI stands successful afloat enactment of the ongoing effect and investigation.”

Senator Mike Lee, of Utah, commented astir the shooting successful a station connected X, saying that he’s “tracking the situation” astatine UVU and “praying for Charlie Kirk and the students there.” Vice President J.D. Vance likewise posted connected X: “Saying a supplication for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely bully feline and young father.

In a station connected Truth Social, President Donald Trump said, “We indispensable each commune for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A large feline from apical to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM.” The White House did not instantly respond to WIRED’s petition for comment.

Videos of the shooting began to look connected societal media connected Wednesday afternoon, soon aft reports of the shooting began to circulate.

Kirk’s halt successful Utah was portion of TP USA’s “American Comeback Tour,” wherever helium staged his signature “prove maine wrong” debates connected campus. At Utah Valley University and Utah State University, the events sparked intense backlash: much than 6,000 students and module signed petitions urging Utah State administrators to cancel Kirk’s quality aboriginal this month, arguing his beingness conflicts with field commitments to inclusivity. Critics described the circuit arsenic a “campus martyr” strategy designed to make viral contented whether done protests oregon cancellations.

Kirk, 31, formed the appearances arsenic a defence of escaped code and a accidental to beforehand his marque of Christian nationalist conservatism.

Turning Point USA, which began successful 2012 arsenic a pupil group, has grown into a well-funded hub of right-wing activism. Along with its governmental advocacy arm, Turning Point Action, the enactment has go a cardinal subordinate successful the MAGA movement, channeling millions of dollars into “chase the vote” campaigns backed by election-denying candidates.

Additional reporting by Makena Kelly, Jake Lahut, and Caroline Haskins.

This is simply a processing story. Check backmost for updates.