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Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Valley University Event in Shocking Attack

September 10, 2025  ·
  Marvin Montanaro
Charlie Kirk at his computer in a YouTube video

Charlie Kirk on his YouTube channel - YouTube, Charlie Kirk

UPDATE: After being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk has tragically died at 31.

Conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, sparking shockwaves across the political world and raising new concerns about political violence in America.

 

The incident unfolded just after 12 p.m. MDT while Kirk was addressing students under a tent on UVU’s Orem campus. The event was part of his “American Comeback Tour,” a nationwide campus speaking series hosted by Turning Point USA.

According to multiple reports, a man in the crowd fired a gun, striking Kirk in the neck area as stunned students scrambled for cover. Law enforcement confirmed that a suspect—described by witnesses as an older male—was immediately taken into custody. UVU police placed the campus on lockdown as FBI agents arrived to assist in the investigation.

Kirk’s Condition After the Shooting

While details remain limited, NBC News reported that Charlie Kirk was rushed to a local hospital and Turning Point USA confirmed in a statement that he had been shot. His exact condition has not yet been made public.

Charlie Kirk sits at a table with Tucker Carlson

Charlie Kirk sitting down with Tucker Carlson – YouTube, Charlie Kirk

Witness footage circulating online appeared to show Kirk flinch and stagger when the gunfire rang out. Some students initially thought it was a prank before realizing the severity of the situation.

Just hours before the incident, Kirk had posted on X: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.” 

National Reaction

The news that Charlie Kirk was shot triggered swift and emotional responses from across the political spectrum.

 

President Donald Trump responded quickly, stating, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”

Senator Mike Lee (R–Utah) said: “Tracking the situation in Orem closely. Please join Sharon and me in praying for Charlie and all those present at UVU today.”

 

Vice President JD Vance sounded off, saying, “Charlie is a genuinely good guy and a young father. Please pray for him and his family.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth offered prayers, saying, “we pray the Lord heals our friend Charlie and brings peace to his family.”

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of conservative voices who recently sat down for a tense interview with Kirk said, “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. Violence has no place in our politics, no matter the disagreement.”

Charlie Kirk and Gavin Newsom

Charlie Kirk sits down with California Governor Gavin Newsom – YouTube, Charlie Kirk

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents were assisting local law enforcement and “monitoring closely.”

 

The bipartisan condemnation demonstrates the seriousness of the attack, which unfolded in broad daylight on a public university campus.

About Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012 and has since built it into one of the largest conservative youth organizations in the country. TPUSA is known for its presence on college campuses, hosting events promoting limited government, free markets, and conservative values.

Charlie Kirk with headphones in from of a microphone

Charlie Kirk sits in front of a microphone for a YouTube video – YouTube, Charlie Kirk

As CEO of TPUSA, Kirk has become one of the most prominent faces of American conservatism, frequently appearing on television, radio, and podcasts. He is also a close ally of President Donald Trump, often hosting him or his surrogates at Turning Point events.

Campus Security and Ongoing Investigation

Following the attack, Utah Valley University issued a lockdown and urged students to shelter in place while police secured the area. By mid-afternoon, law enforcement had lifted the lockdown, but classes and events were suspended for the remainder of the day.

The FBI confirmed it was assisting in the investigation, and authorities have not yet released a motive. Students who attended the event have described scenes of chaos, with many running for safety as gunfire erupted.

The suspect’s identity has not yet been released publicly. Police said more details would be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.

A High Profile Political Attack

The shooting of Charlie Kirk marks one of the most high-profile political attacks in recent memory, echoing other tragic incidents in American politics. Regardless of ideology, the act of targeting a speaker for their political beliefs undermines the democratic process and sets a dangerous precedent for open debate on college campuses.

 

That Park Place has consistently reported on the ideological cultural battles playing out in entertainment, but today’s events transcend partisan debate. Violence aimed at silencing voices—whether conservative or progressive—represents a direct assault on free speech itself.

Conclusion

As of this writing, Charlie Kirk remains hospitalized after being shot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University. A suspect has been apprehended, the FBI is leading the investigation, and officials across the country are calling for prayers and unity against such violence.

Charlie Kirk at a microphone

Charlie Kirk during his interview with Tucker Carlson – YouTube, Charlie Kirk

For Kirk’s supporters and critics alike, the moment is sobering: disagreements in America must be settled through words, not bullets.

That Park Place will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

UP NEXT: Mark Hamill Infers Trump Supporters Are Dishonest and Indecent in New Interview Taking Him to All-New Levels of Vile

Author: Marvin Montanaro
Marvin Montanaro is the Editor-in-Chief of That Park Place and a seasoned entertainment journalist with nearly two decades of experience across multiple digital media outlets and print publications. He joined That Park Place in 2024, bringing with him a passion for theme parks, pop culture, and film commentary. Based in Orlando, Florida, Marvin regularly visits Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, offering firsthand reporting and analysis from the parks. He’s also the creative force behind the Tooney Town YouTube channels, where he appears as his satirical alter ego, Marvin the Movie Monster. Montanaro’s insights are rooted in years of real-world reporting and editorial leadership. He can be reached via email at mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com SOCIAL MEDIA: X: http://x.com/marvinmontanaro Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvinmontanaro Facebook: https://facebook.com/marvinmontanaro Email: mmontanaro@thatparkplace.com
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Jace Roundy

So scary! This happened down the road from me! I’m devastated for his family. Pray for him!

LumberJackAhz

I hate Charlie Kirk for being a Leftist who is all about Control, but pretends to be on the Right. However this is bad due to the Left will use it for more Unconstitutional Laws on Guns, and that just makes us less Free and less Safe.
I can already hear the Left writing fake sympathy speeches for this, while also saying we need less Guns.

TTTRRRUUUTTTHHH

I agree somewhat, as I didn’t care for his stance on certain things and I wasn’t a listener or follower of his. That said, my heart breaks for his children, too young to ever know their father. Ultimately he was assassinated because someone didn’t like his opposition to the tranny agenda or that he was speaking out about the Charlotte stabbing and White genocide. At the very least he was influential at bringing younger people to the conservative side, and getting them to think critically and ask questions, and for that I’ll always respect him, and his influence will be greatly missed.

LumberJackAhz

True he did bring people to the actual Right.
The biggest issue people are not talking about is the Left will get what they want. Colleges will Ban these kind of Events now, and use this as an Excuse, even though THEY are the ones who did it.
It’s a Lose Lose for the Right today, but MAYBE this will cause him to be a Martyr in a scene and get more College Kids away from the Left.

KenReighard

Update: he has passed.

Vallor

i prefer something more along the lines of “he was assassinated.”

Saying “he passed,” feels… hollow. Like “oops, I guess the cancer finally got him,” or “darn, if he hadn’t driven on those icy roads and slid off the cliff.”

FRISH

Agree with this. The left are calculating with their words. They redefine fascism, racism, hate, freedom, sexism, homophobia, man/woman, empathy, tolerance and everything else to steer conversation in a certain direction by being dishonest. We should also think about the words we use. We don’t need to soften the blow. Sometimes online platforms use censorship over words we use (again to control discourse), but yeah he was assassinated and the people who cheer it support murder. They want more blood and will blame the rest of us for inciting the violence that they’re actively radicalising people towards. They want to suppress conversations so that these radicals never leave the cult. We don’t even need to be as dishonest with our wordplay like they are, the truth is condemning enough which is why they want to suppress truth whilst pretending to oppose “misinformation” to make themselves look like they support truth.

CenFla

I am so sick of the violent left. That’s two assassination attempts on a president and an assassination of a right wing commentator. They’re BS has got to stop.

CleatusDefeatus

Yessir

FRISH

They never will stop. They used reputation destruction tactics to normalise murder, so we need to stop acting like they’re misguided and expose them. If they support murder, associate it with the left. If they play coy, point it out. Make sure not to allow your ego get the better of you, you will likely want the justice of proving that you’re in the right. These demons don’t care, and you won’t get that satisfaction. Play the long game and don’t let them give reason to destroy your reputation too. Let them show themselves for what they are. The disconnect between their lack of tolerance and your stoicism will convince normies they’re irrational hate filled cretins. These pricks will use anything to smear you, so don’t give them ammunition. Don’t care about their opinions and false framings, you don’t need to prove anything to them. They are no longer human, for they voluntarily gave away their humanity and only sin remains.

We can individually make an impact, but that pales in comparison to our collective impact.

James Eadon

Universities breed woke fascists. It’s creating murdering (left-wing) fascists.