Charlie Kirk killed in Utah, live: suspect in custody, latest news, and reactions

Utah Valley University to close campus for the week

After Kirk's death, the school where he was giving his talk has been shut down for the rest of the week. 

“We appreciate your understanding and invite the campus community to demonstrate exceptional care towards one another at this time,” four of the university’s administrators wrote in a public notification.

Person of interest in custody

Another person of interest is now in custody and being interviewed, but Utah governor Spencer Cox said "the investigation is ongoing."

Charlie Kirk's suspected shooter was reportedly spotted on CCTV footage and authorities are now trying to determine if the person they have in custody is the same person from the footage. 

"The only information we have on the suspect - the possible shooter - is taken from closed-circuit TV here on campus," said Beau Mason, the commissioner of Utah’s Department of Public Safety. "We do know [they were] dressed in all dark clothing, but we don't have a much better description, other than that."

Law enforcement statement:

"We had a suspect in custody but he was released after it was found he was not an accurate person of interest. We do have an active investigation for the person of interest.

"The suspect is at large, and we believe this was a targetted attack against one individual.

"We are following all leads and all information."

Police update coming up...

The law enforcement agencies are set to provide a public update on the situation.

New security measures could be put in place

There have been White House discussions over new security protocols for Republicans, according to reports.

Let's not forget, however, that Trump recently revoked Secret Service protection for the 49th vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris.

Reactions continue to flood social media

We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children" writes Barack Obama.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is praying for Kirk

"Praying for @charliekirk11" he wrote on Twitter.

Biden says violence has "no place in our country"

The former President has taken to social media to condemn the killing of the pro-gun activist.

BBC reporting crime scene "not safe"

"Law enforcement sources said that police have not yet declared the scene safe for the public," the British outlet wrote.

"There is no suspect in custody"

 “There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” Ellen Treanor, a university spokesperson, said in a statement.

The university also said that four law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the killing of Kirk: Orem Police, Utah Valley University Police, the F.B.I. and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Red carpet rolled out for Kirk

President Trump has ordered all American flags to be lowered to half staff until Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in honour of Charlie Kirk's death.

"There is a lack of clarity over the status of a manhunt"-CBS

The FBI are reportedly keeping their cards incredibly close to their chests regarding the shooter, with local police now going door-to-door on the campus, potentially indicating a threat to those in the region.

"We don't know if law enforcement have identified a suspect" - CBS

Reports from the ground are reflecting a sorry state of affairs when it comes to finding the shooter.

Media outlets are in unison when it comes to the suspect, saying that there is nothing concrete regarding the who killed Charlie Kirk.

Utah Governor provides update:

Governor Cox says he has spoken to Donald Trump and that law enforcement will "bring to justice the individual responsible" for the killing of Kirk.

House of Representatives calls for a moment of silence

Speaker Mike Johnson paused the House in the middle of a session to call for a moment of silence and prayer for Charlie Kirk.

The NY Times report that "several Democrats objected, pointing out that the House had not given other shootings the same treatment."

Vance takes to Twitter

The VP has reacted to the news of Kirk's death.

Rumours spread of Kirk death

Online rumours have spread over the past few minutes suggesting that Charlie Kirk is dead. However, the latest update from reporters on the ground is that he is "in a critical condition" at a local hospital in Utah.

Local media KUTV report on the shooting:

One eyewitness told local media that "Kirk got hit in the neck, security took him and we all crouched down. I left all my friends and I came and found a safe space... it's really traumatising. There were teenagers and kids, with families.

"I'm neutral, moderate, but it's totally wrong to shoot an individual. "

CBS reporters highlight officer "confusion" over shooter

"There is lots of confusion, even amongst law enforcement... it's a very chaotic, fluid situation."

"It's a very challenging situation, we have no information about the weapon, or even if a suspect is in custody. It's possible police are now chasing down leads."

Elon Musk tweets about shooting

The Tesla owner has taken to social media to give his thoughts on the shooting.

CBS reiterate "critical condition" message

"Kirk is in critical condition where he is being treated." The report from outside the hospital adds that security "is very tight" outside the medical centre.

Both sides of the divide unite to condemn attack

Kirk's shooting has brought both sides of the political divide together to rightly condemn the terrible tragedy that has occurred in Utah today.

More members of Congress speak out against shooting

Congressman Dave Min writes: 

This shooting is horrifying. Political violence is unacceptable and we must ensure this does not continue.

Yet this is the latest reminder no one and nowhere in America is safe from gun violence. We must do better.

Praying for Charlie Kirk and his loved ones.

Videos circulating showing horrific moment of shooting

Various videos are now circulating online which appear to show the horrific moment when Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck.

Blood can be seen spilling from his neck as his body curls away before falling to the side.

No, we won't be posting any of them on this feed.

Kirk situation “doesn’t look good”

Charlie Kirk is in hospital and his situation “doesn’t look good”, a representative from Turning Point USA has said, according to The Independent.

FBI chief speaks out on shooting

Kash Patel, the FBI director, said the bureau “stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation” to the shooting. “Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected,” Patel added.

Kirk "in critical condition"

AP report that law enforcement official told The Associated Press that Kirk "was in critical condition at a Utah hospital" after the shooting.

Suspect shot Kirk from nearby building, say NBC

"A spokesperson for Utah Valley University said in a statement that the suspect shot Kirk from the university's Losee Center, a building roughly 200 feet away from where he was sitting" write the news outlet.

Bernie calls attack "horrifying"

The senator has condemned the attack, saying his thoughts are with Kirk and his family.

Eyewitnesses speak to CBS:

"I saw him go over to the side, everyone dispersed, I went towards Charlie and the police arrested someone, an older man with white hair. I hope they got him."

"After they took him down, he yelled 'I'd do it again!'!

Why was Charlie Kirk in Utah?

Kirk had just started his tour and was speaking at Utah Valley University, the first of at least 14 events at college campuses across the country.

Pete Hegseth:

“An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him,” the secretary of the Department of Defense said on X.

United States

Who is Charlie Kirk, the activist and Trump ally who was shot at an event at the University of Utah?

Charlie Kirk is a right-wing political activist, author, and media personality from the United States. He is the co-founder and executive director of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which he started in 2012 with Bill Montgomery. 

TPUSA is a conservative student organization that aims to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Get the full lowdown on who exactly is the victim of this shooting.

Mamdani takes to Twitter

The Democratic Nominee for Mayor of NYC has also taken to social media to express his feelings on the shooting.

"Political violence has no place in our country," he says.

Pelosi speaks out

Former speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has called the shooting "horrific".

Latest from CBS:

"There was no metal detector" says one CBS journalist on the security arrangements for the event, who has also explained that Kirk was "bleeding from the neck and rushed to hospital."

Vance tweets about Kirk

The VP has made his feelings clear on Kirk's shooting, and has called on Americans to pray for the far-right activist.

Is Charlie Kirk dead?

It's a horrible question to ask, and unfortunately we don't have a concrete answer at the time of writing.

Video shows shooter's arrest

This footage shows Charlie Kirk's shooter being arrested at the scene of the crime after firing a single shot at the far-right activist.

The shooter has been placed in custody.

Donald Trump reacts to shooting

The president has reacted to the news of Kirk's shooting on his Truth Social platform, calling Kirk "a great guy."

Politicians react to news

California Governor Gavin Newson has reacted to the news, calling it "vile".

University release statement:

Pro-gun activist Charlie Kirk has been shot while speaking at a campus event in Utah. The latest reports suggest his status is unknown.

Kirk, a close ally to Donald Trump, is known for holding open-air debates on campuses across the country.

“Today at about 12.10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk,” the university said in a statement. “He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody.”

Charlie Kirk shot in Utah:

The far-right activist was shot at a campus event in Utah. Here is the latest information.