Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem. He was delivering remarks from a tented stage when a single gunshot struck him in the neck. He was rushed to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities believe the shot came from a rooftop about 200 yards away. They have since recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle from a nearby wooded area, and are using forensic evidence such as footprints and fingerprints in their investigation. Despite detaining two individuals for questioning, no suspect is currently in custody.
Law enforcement, including the FBI, is treating this as a targeted attack. Campus operations have been suspended for several days in the aftermath, and public officials from across the political spectrum have condemned the violence. The shooting has sparked concern over rising political tensions and the safety of public figures in volatile settings.
