Trump loyalist Charlie Kirk fatally shot at Utah event

(CN) — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday at a Utah college event, according to President Donald Trump.

Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, can be seen in a video reaching toward his neck after a shot is heard. Authorities said a person of interest was interviewed and released.

The shooting occurred during Kirk’s American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University. A video shows a crowd gathered as he spoke into a microphone before being struck by a gunman around 12:10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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.”

The university in a message on X said its campus was closed and classes canceled. It advised people on campus to stay in place until police could escort them away, adding it would provide updates when possible.

Elected officials and media personalities on both sides of the aisle quickly issued messages on social media asking for prayers and denouncing political violence.

“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” California Gavin Newsom posted on X. “In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”

Cox, a Republican, asked people to condemn the shooting.

“Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected,” Cox said on X.

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas denounced the shooting in a statement.

“The shooting of Charlie Kirk is disturbing and horrifying, an act of violence that has no place in American politics,” said Rivas, a Salinas Democrat. “I condemn it in the strongest possible terms, and I urge all elected and public officials regardless of party affiliation to unite and speak out in peace and unity. We may disagree, but we must always do so without violence.”

U.S. Representative and former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the shooting reprehensible on X.

“Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation,” Pelosi said. “All Americans should pray for Charlie Kirk’s recovery and hold the entire [Utah Valley University] community in our hearts as they endure the trauma of this gun violence.”

California state Senator and Minority Leader Brian Jones, a San Diego Republican, called the shooting an evil act in a statement.

“We cannot allow political discourse to devolve into hatred and violence,” Jones said. “I pray for Charlie Kirk, for his family and for America. May we band together in the wake of this tragedy and not allow it to wedge us further apart.”

Former Republican U.S. Senator Mitt Romney said the shooting shocked and sickened him and his family.

“We extend our prayers and profound sorrow to Charlie and his family, many friends and followers,” Romney said. “Another senseless act of violence appalls us.”

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly urged people on X to pray for Kirk.

Turning Point USA champions conservative values at high schools and universities. Founded in 2012 by Kirk, its goal is to identify, educate, train and organize students, leading them to herald ideals like fiscal responsibility and limited government.

The organization on its website stated that it has a presence on over 3,500 campuses and is the biggest and fastest-growing youth group in the nation.