During an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot.
Here are some early reactions as of Wednesday afternoon.
Comments from Utah leaders
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shared a post on X, saying that he is being briefed by law enforcement following the shooting.
“Those responsible will be held fully accountable. Violence has no place in our public life,” he wrote.
“Americans of every political persuasion must unite in condemning this act. Our prayers are with Charlie, his family, and all those affected.”
Former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney is another figure who posted about the shooting on X, extending his prayers to both Kirk and his family.
The shooting took place in Rep. Mike Kennedy’s district. The congressman posted on X about the shooting.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, also posted about the shooting on X, saying that he is tracking the situation closely.
“Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there,” he wrote.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, gave a statement about the shooting to Deseret News.
”I am just now learning of a shooting on the campus of Utah Valley University during an event featuring Charlie Kirk,“ the senator said in the statement. ”My heart goes out to Charlie, those in attendance, and their families. We are praying for his safety and the well-being of everyone impacted.“
He added that he will continue to gather more information as it becomes available and his team is closely monitoring the situation.
“I am grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders working to secure the campus,” Curtis said.
Rep. Celeste Maloy, another member of Utah’s congressional delegation, also posted about the shooting.
On X, she wrote: “I am horrified by the news coming out of UVU. I’m following the situation closely and praying for Charlie Kirk and all those affected. This doesn’t reflect who we are in Utah.”
Another member of Utah’s congressional delegation, Rep. Burgess Owens, also shared his thoughts on the situation on X.
Utah’s State Senate President Stuart Adams gave a statement to the Deseret News sharing his prayers for both Kirk and his family.
“I’m deeply disturbed by the violent incident involving Charlie Kirk at UVU. What happened is outrageous, un-American and completely unacceptable. Political violence has no place in Utah or anywhere in America. Free speech and civil discourse are core to who we are, and I stand firmly for both. My prayers are with Charlie and his family,” Adams said.
Democratic leaders in Utah, posting on the Utah Senate Democrats account on X, shared that their “hearts are with Charlie Kirk, the students, and the entire UVU community after today’s tragic shooting.”
They added, “Gun violence has no place in our campuses or public spaces. We stand in solidarity with all impacted and call once again for common-sense gun safety laws.”
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz posted on X, also condemning the violence at UVU.
UVU posted about the shooting: “Today at about 12:10 a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk. He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody.”
National statements
President Donald Trump posted about the shooting on Truth Social.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” the president wrote.
Vice President JD Vance also posted about it on X, writing, “Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father.”