Update: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk died after suffering a gunshot wound to the neck while speaking on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem.
After offering a prayer call early Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump took to the true society to announce that Kirk had passed away.
“The great and even legendary Charlie Kirk is dead,” the president wrote. “I didn’t understand and had the center of the youth of the United States better than Charlie. He was with everyone, especially me, and now he’s not with us anymore. Melania and my sympathy went out to his family with his beautiful wife Erica. Charlie, we love you!”
A co-founder of Turning Point USA and an outspoken advocate for evangelical and conservative principles, Kirk was at UVU for what was scheduled for the first time of a national campus visit over the fall semester.
The series of stops were called “American Comeback Tour Fort Feet Charlie Kirk.” He was scheduled to appear in 14 other events in the coming months.
UVU has announced that it has closed its campus and canceled its classes “until further notice.”
“The UVU campus is closed,” the university said Wednesday afternoon. “Canceled classes. Classes on campus are locked up until police officers can safely escort them from campus. We ask for patience throughout this process. We are providing as much updates as possible. This is an ongoing rolling event.”
Despite previous reports, it appears that authorities have yet to arrest the suspect.
Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika and two young children. Place them and all your loved ones in your prayers. We also pray for the wisdom of law enforcement agencies and officials who continue to investigate this tragic incident.
Continue reading the original report below.
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Famous podcaster and conservative activist Charlie Kirk were shot.
A spokesman for Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, confirmed to Fox News that he was shot while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday afternoon.
His condition is “unknown,” the representative added. He reportedly was hospitalized.
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President Donald Trump issued a statement through the true society and called for prayers for Kirk. The president said, “We all have to pray for Charlie Kirk, who was shot. A great man from top to bottom. God bless him!”
Vice President JD Vance issued a statement saying, “Please say the prayers of Charlie Kirk, a truly good man and young father.”
Other government officials are also urging prayers.
War Secretary Pete Hegses wrote, “Prayer for Charlie Kirk. Incredible Christians, America, and humans. May the healing hands of Jesus Christ be upon him.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) added, “Pray for my best friend, Charlie Kirk.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who hosted Kirk on the podcast, wrote, “An attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, sleazy, and condemning. In the United States, political violence must be rejected in all ways.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said FBI and ATF agents were on the “way” to UVU, adding that they “pray for Charlie.”
Actor Chris Pratt also cried out, urging his followers to pray for a conservative person.
“Now I am praying for Charlie Kirk, for his wife and young children, for our nation,” writes Pratt. “We need God’s grace. He will help us.”
Graphic footage of the incident (viewer warning: the content is very unsettling) began streaming online shortly after filming.
Several reporters attending the UVU event confirmed that Kirk maintained gunshots. Eva Terry, a reporter for Deseret News who attended the event, said, “Charlie Kirk was just filmed at the UVU event. We filmed it here with another reporter. Send the police.”
The suspect has been arrested, according to UVU’s campus alert.
“A single shot was fired at the visiting speaker on campus,” he read the alert. “The police are currently investigating.”
Despite previous reports from UVU, a university spokesman told Deseret News that no suspects are still in custody.
“The suspect is not in custody,” Scott Trotter said. “Police are still investigating that campus was closed that day.”
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