FILE - Charlie Kirk speaks during a town hall meeting on March 17, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, File)

Conservative speaker Charlie Kirk has died after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem Wednesday afternoon.

President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death with a Truth Social post:

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump said. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Utah Valley University confirmed in a 1:11 p.m. release that Kirk had been shot, and said the suspect is not in custody. Students were told to leave the campus.

“On September 10, 2025, at 12:20 a single shot rang out in the quad near the food court on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus as Mr. Charlie Kirk began speaking at his planned rally. We can confirm that Mr. Kirk was shot, but we don’t know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating. Campus is closed for the rest of the day,” the release said.

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, law enforcement from agencies all over Utah County remained on scene.

Thousands of students were in attendance at the event and could be seen fleeing the scene on video posted moments after the shooting.

An eyewitness at the event recounted what he saw to the Daily Herald.

“I was standing more towards the back, so I couldn’t really see a ton, but I did see the shot. I did see Charlie actually get shot,” said Braden Jensen. “At first I really didn’t know what to think, but then all of the sudden I saw blood come out and I knew it was real, and then literally, one second later, everybody hit the ground.”

Jensen said he thought there was “lackluster security,” and called the scene “pretty chaotic.”

“There was security basically blocking people from the top bridge, making sure they weren’t standing directly above him, but that was about it,” he said. “Nobody even checked our tickets or anything. … (Security) was pretty terrible, and there was basically no coordination. Everybody just hit the ground, and then got up and ran eventually.”

Political leaders in across the nation also responded to the news on social media.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee said via X, “I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.”

“I am being briefed by law enforcement following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk during his visit to Utah Valley University today,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “We will continue to share updates. Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life. Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”

“The shooting of Charlie Kirk has shocked and sickened me and my family,” former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney said. “We extend our prayers and profound sorrow to Charlie and his family, many friends and followers. Another senseless act of violence appalls us.

“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance said.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted, “I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”

According to his Turning Point USA bio, Kirk “is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.”

The Daily Herald has reporters covering the story and will provide updates as more information becomes available.