University of Kwazulu-Natal

Breaking Shot Fired At Uvu During Charlie Kirk Event Suspect In Custod

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
breaking shot fired at uvu during charlie kirk event suspect in custod

OREM, Utah — A single gunshot was fired Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Utah Valley University during a speaking event featuring conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident occurred during the first stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” hosted by Turning Point USA. According to an official UVU Alert, the shot was directed toward the visiting speaker. Law enforcement responded swiftly, and the suspect is now in custody. No additional shots were reported, and the campus remains under active investigation. Eyewitnesses described a moment of confusion and panic as attendees evacuated the venue.

One UVU professor, standing roughly 50 feet from the stage, told the Salt Lake Tribune he heard what sounded like a firework before seeing people flee the terraces. “The atmosphere turned panicked instantly,” he said. “Someone next to me said they saw Charlie Kirk get hit.” Kirk was reportedly struck in the neck, though official medical updates have not yet been released. Footage from the event shows attendees screaming and fleeing as the shot rang out. Kirk had posted on X just minutes before the incident, celebrating the tour’s kickoff:

Media AdvisoryUpdate: Charlie Kirk Shooting at UVU Orem, Utah — At approximately 12:20 pm MST, Political Influencer Charlie Kirk was speaking at a student-sponsored event with Turning Point USA. Charlie was shot during the event at Utah Valley University (UVU), after which he was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital and hours later pronounced dead. This shooting is still an active investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are co-leading this incident in unison with the Utah County Attorney’s office, the Utah County Sheriff’s office, and the local... We initially took in George Zinn as a suspect.

He was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police. A second suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement. There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter. The FBI has created a digital media tip line for information regarding this shooting at fbi.gov/UtahValleyShooting. We ask the public to please provide any information they may have to this tip line.

Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. According to FBI Director Kash Patel in an updated post on X Wednesday night, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency". Patel previously posted that "the subject" is now "in custody." The school initially told Newsweek: "This information is all preliminary but Charlie Kirk was invited to campus by a student group turning point USA he began his talking about 1 o'clock at about 120... A person was then seen being detained after the shooting.

According to Scott Trotter, university spokesman, police then said that the person taken into custody was not the shooter, The New York Times reported. Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart ...View More © 2025 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited OREM, Utah (KUTV) — Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University Wednesday. FBI Director Kash Patel originally said that a person of interest was taken into custody before 4:20 p.m., but was released by 6 p.m.

President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk's death on Truth Social. "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," President Trump posted. "He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Kirk was shot at 12:10 p.m. in the quad near the food court. He was allegedly discussing shooting and gang violence at the time. Updated on: September 13, 2025 / 9:54 AM EDT / CBS News Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika, vowed Friday to continue her husband's conservative activism work, saying, the "movement my husband built will not die." She said Turning Point USA will still host its fall college campus tour, and its AmericaFest conference in December will still take place.

"The evildoers responsible for my husband's assassination have no idea what they have done," she said. "They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God's merciful love. They should all know this: If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea … what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world." "The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry," she said. Right-wing activist and Chicago-area native Charlie Kirk has died after being shot while presenting at Utah Valley University Wednesday, officials said. Right-wing activist and Chicago-area native Charlie Kirk has died after being shot while presenting at Utah Valley University Wednesday, officials said.

In a message on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said Kirk "is dead" following the shooting during a Turning Point USA event at the Utah school. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump wrote. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family.

Charlie, we love you!" An event featuring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU) ended abruptly Wednesday evening after a shot was fired, striking the Turning Point USA founder. Authorities confirmed a suspect is in custody and the campus was placed on lockdown following the incident. The shooting occurred during a Q&A session with students, according to witnesses. Social media accounts from those in attendance reported that Kirk was shot near his neck. A subsequent alert from the university stated, “A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker.

Police are investigating now, suspect in custody.” READ: Former VP Kamala Harris Rips Biden’s “Reckless” 2024 Bid In New Memoir Kirk was at UVU as part of an event titled "The American Comeback Tour," organized by the university's Turning Point USA chapter. The event had been promoted online and was open to students and the public.

People Also Search

OREM, Utah — A Single Gunshot Was Fired Wednesday Afternoon

OREM, Utah — A single gunshot was fired Wednesday afternoon on the campus of Utah Valley University during a speaking event featuring conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident occurred during the first stop of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” hosted by Turning Point USA. According to an official UVU Alert, the shot was directed toward the visiting speaker. Law enforcement responded swiftly,...

One UVU Professor, Standing Roughly 50 Feet From The Stage,

One UVU professor, standing roughly 50 feet from the stage, told the Salt Lake Tribune he heard what sounded like a firework before seeing people flee the terraces. “The atmosphere turned panicked instantly,” he said. “Someone next to me said they saw Charlie Kirk get hit.” Kirk was reportedly struck in the neck, though official medical updates have not yet been released. Footage from the event sh...

Media AdvisoryUpdate: Charlie Kirk Shooting At UVU Orem, Utah —

Media AdvisoryUpdate: Charlie Kirk Shooting at UVU Orem, Utah — At approximately 12:20 pm MST, Political Influencer Charlie Kirk was speaking at a student-sponsored event with Turning Point USA. Charlie was shot during the event at Utah Valley University (UVU), after which he was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital and hours later pronounced dead. This shooting is still an active investigation. ...

He Was Later Released And Charged With Obstruction By UVU

He was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police. A second suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement. There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter. The FBI has created a digital media tip line for information regarding this shoo...

Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA Co-founder And CEO, Was Fatally

Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. According to FBI Director Kash Patel in an updated post on X Wednesday night, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency". Patel previ...