UPDATE 6:43 p.m.
St. Paul Newman Center in Fargo says there was miscommunication regarding a prayer service tonight for Charlie Kirk
There is no planned prayer vigil scheduled but students are welcome to come and pray privately
UPDATE AT 6:00 p.m.
Officials in Utah are releasing details regarding a shooting that killed conservative radio host and Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk.
In a press conference at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason told media that Kirk, who was on the campus for an event for the University’s Turning Point USA chapter, was taken by private vehicle to Timpanogos Regional Hospital after being shot. It was at the hospital that Kirk died.
Mason said a single shot was fired.
Governor Spencer Cox said the day ‘is a dark day for our state, (and) it’s a tragic day for our nation.’
“I want to be clear that this is a political assassination,” he said. “To whoever did this, we will find you. We will try you. And we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”
The Department of Public Safety is co-leading the investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whose Salt Lake City field office responded immediately, according to FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls.
Early after the shooting, Mason said a suspect – identified as George Zinns – was in custody but was released after authorities identified ‘that he was not an accurate person of interest.’ He was, however, booked into the county jail for obstruction of justice.
Cox said that a person of interest is in custody being interviewed by authorities. He said there was ‘no information that would lead us to believe that a second person is involved.’
He ended by underscoring the depth of the tragedy.
“Our nation is broken,” Cox said. “Nothing I can say can unite us as a country.”
UPDATE 4:55 p.m.
Turning Point USA has issued a statement saying Kirk ‘has been murdered by a gunshot’ at a Turning Point USA ‘The American Comeback Tour’ campus event at Utah State University.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox will brief the media shortly.
UPDATE 4:50 p.m.
President Trump has ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on September 14 in honor of the memory of Kirk
UPDATE 3:46 p.m.
President Trump says Charlie Kirk has died following the shooting
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.
Utah Valley University now says a person who was taken into custody in relation to the shooting has now been released
UPDATE at 2:51 p.m.:
The Associated Press reports Kirk is currently in critical condition at a local hospital
UPDATE at 2:28 p.m.:
Utah Valley University has posted an update on social media.
“Today at about 12:10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk,” the University posted on X. “He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody.”
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social, said, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM! ”
Vice President JD Vance posted a photo on X that included Kirk, Trump’s son, Don Jr., and an unidentified person, with the caption “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.”
In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel posted, “We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, also posted that FBI and ATF agents were on the scene.
ORIGINAL STORY:
UTAH – Charlie Kirk, who’s the executive director of Turning Point USA and daily national radio host carried on The Flag, has reportedly been shot during an event in Utah.
Video circulating online show Kirk apparently being shot at Utah Valley University. Other media outlets such as Fox News are also reporting on the possible shooting.
Kirk tweeted shortly before the reported incident that he was on campus.
Kirk’s nationally syndicated program The Charlie Kirk Show airs daily on AM 1100 The Flag from 11am to 1pm.
