The conservative firebrand, 31, was speaking to students when someone opened fire at the school on Wednesday, according to officials.
Kirk’s condition remains unclear but the Trump ally was taken to a hospital.
Horrific footage of the incident shared on social media showed Kirk’s neck violently snapping back after a shot rang out.
Someone is in custody following the shooting, according to an alert sent to students.
‘A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody,’ an alert from UVU said, according to the Deseret News.
Police have not revealed the suspect’s identity but footage from the scene showed officers taking an older man into custody.
President Trump led tributes to Kirk after he appeared to be severely wounded at the event.
‘We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!’ Trump said on Truth Social.
Charlie Kirk has been shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem
The conservative firebrand, 31, was speaking to students when someone opened fire at the school on Wednesday
Kirk, 31, is married and has two children
Turning Point USA told the Daily Caller ‘This is an ongoing situation.’
‘We are in the process of confirming reports that Charlie Kirk was shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time.’
Kirk published a post on X just minutes before reports of the shooting emerged.
‘WE. ARE. SO. BACK,’ Kirk wrote at 2.23pm EST.
‘Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.’
The event was the first in Kirk’s ‘Great American Comeback Tour.’
A petition signed by 7,000 people called for him to be banned from campus.
Vice President JD Vance took to social media to ask for prayers for Kirk.
‘Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,’ Vance wrote.
Republican Utah senator Mike Lee said: ‘I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.’
Right-wing pundit Candace Owens also reacted to the shooting.
She wrote: ‘Everyone please stop what you are doing and pray for Charlie Kirk. Please.’
Images from the scene showed the event at the crowd run as someone fired a single shot
President Trump led tributes to Kirk after he appeared to be severely wounded at the event
Kirk published a post on X just minutes before reports of the shooting emerged
‘Pray for Charlie Kirk,’ added fellow conservative pundit Michael Knowles.
Democratic California governor Gavin Newsom was one of the first liberals to ask for prayers for Kirk.
He wrote: ‘The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.’
Kirk is married and has two children.
He helped found Turning Point USA, a conservative nonprofit that has focuses on promoting conservativism on school campuses.
