Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk fatally shot during Utah college event

Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and an ally of President Trump, died after a shooting at an outdoor speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, according to Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA and Trump.

The organization said in a statement, “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.”

Earlier, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, “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.”

In a later post, Trump said he has ordered all American flags to be lowered to half-staff until Sunday evening to honor Kirk, who was 31.

Utah Valley University said a suspect in the shooting is not in custody. In an email to NPR, university spokeswoman Ellen Treanor said a person had been detained earlier but said, “That individual was released, it is still an active investigation.”

The university said in a post that “at about 12:10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk. He was hit and taken from the location by his security.” In a later post, it said the campus was closed and that police were going building to building to escort people off campus.

Treanor told NPR that a shot rang out from a building about 200 yards away from Kirk, who was invited by a student group.

Kirk’s conservative youth organization, Turning Point USA, was kicking off an “American Comeback Tour.” The event at Utah Valley University was the first of 15 scheduled stops at college campuses around the country.

Over the years, he has gained popularity for his appearances on college campuses and engaging with students on political issues.

Video circulating on social media appears to show Kirk sitting in a chair and holding a microphone under a tent. A shot is fired and Kirk appears to grab his neck and fall out of his chair. NPR has not verified the authenticity of the video clips.

FBI director Kash Patel said on X that federal agents are heading to the scene and the FBI is monitoring the situation.

This is a developing story and will be updated.