Trump-supporting influencer shot at a university in the US.
Charlie Kirk was shot during a lecture at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and a suspect has been arrested.
WASHINGTON, September 10 (Reuters) - American right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk was shot on Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and a suspect is in custody.
Kirk, 31, is an influential ally of President Donald Trump and co-founder of Turning Point USA, the nation's largest conservative youth organization. He was taken to a hospital, Fox News reported.
"Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University. His condition is unknown," a spokesperson for Kirk told the news station.
Video clips of the incident, recorded on cell phones and circulating on social media, showed Kirk giving a speech to a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack, similar to a gunshot, was heard. Kirk can be seen briefly grabbing his neck as he falls from his chair, causing those present to run.
"A shot was fired from a nearby building and we have a suspect in custody," a university spokesperson told Reuters by email.
Local TV station KSL-TV aired a video of an older man wearing a blue shirt being led away by police after the attack.
Kirk and Turning Point USA played a key role in mobilizing youth support for Trump in November. Their events on college campuses across the country often draw large crowds.
"We should all pray for Charlie Kirk, who was shot," Trump said on X. "A great guy from beginning to end. GOD BLESS HIM!"
FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents were at the scene, Attorney General Pam Bondi told X.
Kirk has been an influential voice in the conservative movement. He has 5,2 million followers on X and hosts a popular podcast and radio show, "The Charlie Kirk Show." He also recently co-hosted "Fox & Friends" on Fox News.
The attack on Kirk occurred amid a rise in political violence in recent years.
In July 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet fired by a sniper during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania. A second assassination attempt two months later was thwarted by federal agents.
In April, an arsonist broke into the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and set it on fire while his family was inside.
Earlier this year, a gunman posing as a police officer in Minnesota murdered State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and shot Senator John Hoffman and his wife. And in Boulder, Colorado, a man used an improvised flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to attack a solidarity event for Israeli hostages, killing one woman and injuring at least six others.
Republican and Democratic politicians expressed support for Kirk after the shooting.
"Political violence is NEVER acceptable," said Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, on X. "My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family."
Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson wrote on X: "Join us in prayer for our good friend, Charlie Kirk."
Reporting by Jasper Ward, Andrew Hay, Brad Brooks, Helen Coster, Jim Oliphant, Jana Winter and Joseph Ax; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Rosalba O'Brien
