Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has reportedly died after being shot at a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Charlie Kirk confirmed his passing to the New York Times. Concurrently, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to corroborate Kirk’s death.
Dramatic video footage showed Kirk, aged 31, being shot in the neck at Utah Valley College. He was on campus for his “Prove Me Wrong” tour, which involves engaging in debates with audience members.
The local mayor informed the Associated Press that the shooter remains at large, a statement supported by college officials. Initial reports suggested the single gunshot originated from the university’s Losee Center, roughly 200 yards from the tent where Kirk was located.
“There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” Ellen Treanor, university spokesperson, told The New York Times.
Former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz told CNN that Kirk was answering a question about “transgender shootings” and “mass killings” when he was shot.
“As it happened, during the interaction following a question, there was a single shot. I was watching Charlie. While I did not specifically see blood or the moment he was hit, I witnessed him immediately fall back and to his left,” the witness recounted.
No other injuries were reported. FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency is closely monitoring the incident, per NBC.
A university spokesperson told NBC that the shooting happened 20 minutes into the event.
The Deseret News indicated that the suspect in the shooting is described as an “older male.” However, a university spokesperson informed CBS that the individual initially detained has been released, leaving the shooter’s identity and location still unknown. Furthermore, the Associated Press noted that the detained person is not believed to be the shooter.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: AP/Ross D. Franklin]
