Concerns surged from across the political spectrum on Wednesday after the shooting involving Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA.
President Trump expressed his support, stating, “We all have to pray for Charlie Kirk, who was shot. A great man from top to bottom. God bless him!”
Kirk, 31, was attending an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His current condition hasn’t been reported.
Vice President JD Vance shared a message on social media, saying, “Say Charlie Kirk’s prayers with true goodness and say the prayers of a young father.” Kirk, who left Harper University in Illinois, co-founded TPUSA back in 2012, which has since become a significant network of young conservative activists, particularly influential since Trump’s first run for president.
Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was at the event with his daughter, described to Fox News that the gunshot occurred as Kirk responded to a question concerning a transgender mass shooter.
Stay informed on the shooting incident involving Charlie Kirk
The University of Utah later revealed in a statement that Kirk was shot by a suspect located about 200 yards away from where he was seated.
Footage from the event shows Kirk noticeably recoiling and collapsing from his chair after the shot.
Kirk is widely known for engaging in lively discussions with various ideological opponents, including Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif), who had joined Kirk on his podcast earlier this year.
Newsom expressed his disapproval of the violence, tweeting, “I hate attacks on Charlie Kirk, I’m sleazy, sleazy, and blamed. In the United States, political violence must be rejected in all ways.”
Representative Richie Torres, a Democrat from South Bronx, remarked, “The Charlie Kirk shooting at a Utah university event is an attack on our democracy. Political violence does not exist in America.”
The identification of the shooter has not yet been disclosed.
FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned, “We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk of Utah Valley University. Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones. Agents are on-site, and the FBI is fully supporting the ongoing response and investigation.”
