Charlie Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was shot during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah,

Breaking News: Shooting Incident at Utah Valley University

• What happened: Charlie Kirk, the co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was shot during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025, around noon. He was addressing a crowd as part of his "American Comeback Tour," operating a "Prove Me Wrong" table under a tent, when gunfire erupted from a nearby building. Video shows him clutching his neck and collapsing amid chaos. ReutersAP News

• Condition & Response: Kirk was hospitalized in critical condition. Some reports say he underwent surgery, though details remain sparse. ReutersPeople.com

• Suspect Status: Authorities initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody, but that was later retracted — the suspect's whereabouts remain unclear and the investigation continues. People.comReuters

• Reactions: The shooting triggered bipartisan condemnation and shock across the political spectrum:

  • Former President Trump and other conservative leaders expressed support and urged prayers. ReutersThe Guardian+1The Washington Post

  • Democratic figures also denounced the attack as political violence and offered solidarity. The GuardianThe Washington PostPeople.com

  • Officials from the FBI and ATF are involved in the ongoing investigation. ReutersThe Guardian

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Who Is Charlie Kirk?

• Early Life & Education: Born Charles James Kirk on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He dropped out of Harper College to pursue political activism. WikipediaAZCentral

• Turning Point USA: In 2012, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative youth organization that now spans over 2,000 campuses with around 250,000 student members. WikipediaHarperCollins CanadaAP News

• Other Organizations:

  • CEO of Turning Point Action (established in 2019), the political advocacy arm under IRS designation 501(c)(4). Wikipedia+1

  • Also leads Turning Point Faith, Turning Point Academy, and Turning Point Endowment. He's linked to the Council for National Policy. Wikipedia

• Media Presence & Influence:

  • Hosts The Charlie Kirk Show, a widely followed conservative talk show, and another streaming program aimed at Gen Z.

  • Has a significant social media following with over 3.8 million YouTube subscribers and over a billion total views. Wikipedia

• Written Works: Author of multiple books, including Time for a Turning Point (2016), Campus Battlefield (2018), The MAGA Doctrine (2020), The College Scam (2022), and Right Wing Revolution (2024). Wikipedia

• Political Stance & Controversies:

  • A vocal Trump ally and critic of critical race theory, mainstream climate science, and what he frames as ideological bias on college campuses. His organizations are known for initiatives like the Professor Watchlist. WikipediaAP News

  • TPUSA has faced scrutiny, including a ProPublica investigation that questioned its financial transparency and reported that Kirk's compensation had risen significantly. Wikipedia

• Personal Life:

  • Kirk is married to Erika Frantzve (since 2021), and together they have two children. Hindustan Times

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Summary Table

Aspect	Details
Incident (Today)	Shot at UVU event; critically injured and hospitalized.
Professional Role	CEO/founder of TPUSA and associated organizations; media personality.
Political Alignment	Conservative, pro-Trump; active in youth outreach and campus discourse.
Controversies	Criticized for financial transparency; aggressive ideological tactics.
Personal	Married with two children; evangelical Christian background.