Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has reportedly died after being shot at a speaking event in Utah on Wednesday.
Kirk’s spokesperson announced his death to the New York Times. Around the same time, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to confirm Kirk’s death:
Graphic video footage showed Kirk, 31, being shot in the neck at Utah Valley College. He was at the university as part of his “Prove Me Wrong” tour, which entails him having debates with members of the audience.
The mayor told the Associated Press that the shooter has not been apprehended — claims which were echoed by college officials. Emerging reports indicated that the single bullet was fired from the university’s Losee Center, located 200 yards away from the tent Kirk was situated under.
“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.
“When that happened, when that question came out, and he’s you know, he’s going to have the interaction, one shot. I was watching Charlie. I can’t say that I saw blood. I can’t say that I saw him get hit, but I did see him fall immediately backwards into his left,” he said.
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 reported that the shooting suspect is an “older male.” However, a university spokesperson told CBS that the person taken into custody has been released — meaning the shooter’s identity and whereabouts are unclear. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that the person taken into custody is not believed to be the shooter.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: AP/Ross D. Franklin]
