Utah Valley University was the site of a fatal shooting Wednesday when conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed during a campus event.
Kirk, 31, was speaking at a Turning Point USA gathering when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop. Witnesses reported a single shot that struck Kirk as he addressed the audience. He was rushed to a local hospital but later pronounced dead.
Police say the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack. Federal investigators briefly detained a person of interest but released them after questioning. No arrests have been announced.
The incident occurred after days of tension surrounding Kirk’s scheduled appearance. An online petition sought to block the event, but the university allowed it to proceed, citing free speech protections and the need for open dialogue.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the killing, calling it a “political assassination.” The attack adds to concerns about growing violence directed at public figures across the country.
Following the shooting, vigils were held both at the university and in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Kirk lived. Supporters lit candles, carried flags, and offered prayers in his memory.
Authorities continue to investigate the shooting while the campus community mourns the loss of one of the nation’s most prominent young conservative voices.
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