Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Valley University Event

Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah Valley University Event

OREM, Utah — Conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. The incident, which occurred around 12:20 p.m. MT, took place during Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” a series of campus events aimed at engaging students in debate-style discussions. A suspect is in custody, and the university has been placed on lockdown as authorities investigate.   (UPDATE/Correction: An older man was seen being arrested, but was later determined not to be involved in the shooting.  The shooter is at large.) 

According to university officials and eyewitness accounts, Kirk was approximately 20 minutes into his presentation, seated under a white tent with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong,” when a single gunshot rang out. Video footage circulating on social media shows Kirk recoiling after the shot, appearing to clutch his neck as blood poured out, before collapsing from his chair. The crowd of several thousand attendees scattered in panic, with screams and shouts of “Run!” echoing across the courtyard. UVU’s spokeswoman, Ellen Treanor, confirmed to multiple outlets that the shot was fired from the Losee Center, a building roughly 200 yards from the event site. Kirk was immediately rushed from the scene by his security team to a nearby hospital.

Details about Kirk’s condition remain unclear, with conflicting reports about the severity of his injuries. A spokesperson for Turning Point USA, Aubrey Laitsch, stated, “We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie.” A BBC report cited a spokesperson who suggested the situation “doesn’t look good,” though no official update on his status has been released by the hospital or Kirk’s team. The 31-year-old activist, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump and a father of two, is known for his outspoken conservative views and his role in mobilizing young voters through Turning Point USA, which he co-founded in 2012.

The shooting has drawn widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. President Trump posted on Truth Social, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Vice President JD Vance echoed the sentiment on X, describing Kirk as “a genuinely good guy and a young father.” Democratic leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also denounced the act, with Newsom calling it “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible” and Jeffries stating, “Political violence is NEVER acceptable.” Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a survivor of a 2011 assassination attempt, expressed horror, emphasizing that political disagreements must not lead to violence.

The incident occurred amidst a reported spike in political violence in the United States, including the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and other recent attacks targeting political figures. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene at UVU, with UVU professor Michael Andersen, who was about 50 feet away, initially mistaking the gunshot for a firework. Another witness, Justin Hickens, told NBC News he saw Kirk’s body “go limp” and noted a significant amount of blood. Hickens also reported seeing an elderly man with white hair being detained by police shortly after the incident, though authorities have not released details about the suspect’s identity or motive.

UVU issued a campus-wide alert, closing the university and canceling classes until further notice. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on the scene, with FBI Director Kash Patel stating the agency is “closely monitoring” the situation and offering full support to the investigation. Utah Governor Spencer Cox, briefed by law enforcement, vowed that the attacker would be “held fully accountable” and condemned violence in public life.

Kirk’s event was part of Turning Point USA’s efforts to promote conservative values on college campuses, often sparking controversy. An online petition opposing his appearance at UVU had garnered nearly 1,000 signatures, citing his polarizing views, but the university defended his right to speak, emphasizing its commitment to free speech. Kirk, a vocal Trump ally with 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million on TikTok, has been a polarizing figure, known for his stances against climate change policies, DEI initiatives, and gender-affirming care, as well as his support for conspiracy theories during the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the investigation continues, the nation awaits updates on Kirk’s condition. The shooting has reignited discussions about political violence and the safety of public figures in an increasingly polarized climate.

UPDATE: Charlie Kirk has died from his injuries. President Trump has announced.

UPDATE 2:  Video apparently shows what looks like a dark figure on the roof of the campus building, which some believe was the sniper.

UPDATE 3: Some social media users are claiming there is a conspiracy here.  A man in a dark shirt behind Charlie Kirk makes a gesture similar to those that baseball managers and coaches use to signal a move just seconds before Kirk is shot in the neck.

UPDATE 4:  Other conspiracists are claiming the videos online are AI manipulation.

UPDATE 5: The New York Yankees honor Charlie Kirk during their game with a moment of silence and his image displayed on the jumbotron in center-field. 

UPDATE September 11, 2025:  There is a person of interest the FBI and police are looking for. A reward of $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the man in the photo.

New York Post on X: "Charlie Kirk shooter’s exact POV apparently revealed in chilling new photos that show his sniper’s nest https://t.co/rtbXXSe1fm https://t.co/YgjBVRbHyo" / X

UPDATE September 12, 2025:  Suspect arrested. 

On September 12, 2025, the suspect in the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was apprehended after his father turned him in to authorities. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old James Thompson, was linked to the incident through evidence provided by his father, who contacted law enforcement after his son threatened to commit suicide. Authorities have not released further details about the motive or circumstances of the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Charlie Kirk is reported to be recovering, with no additional updates on his condition at this time. President Trump had announced it on Fox News.

Sources:  

- Variety, September 10, 2025  [](https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/charlie-kirk-shot-debate-1236514470/)

- PBS News, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/conservative-activist-charlie-kirk-shot-at-utah-valley-university-event-spokesperson-says)

- Reuters, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/conservative-influencer-charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-event-2025-09-10/)

- AP News, September 10, 2025  [](https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd)

- BBC News, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c206zm81z4gt)

- KSL.com, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.ksl.com/article/51373274/charlie-kirk-reportedly-shot-while-speaking-at-uvu)

- Fox News, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.foxnews.com/us/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-event-hospitalized)

- The New York Times, September 10, 2025  [](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09/10/us/charlie-kirk-shot-utah)

- CNN, September 10, 2025[](https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-09-10-25)

Updated Source 9/11/25"

New York Post on X: "Charlie Kirk shooter’s exact POV apparently revealed in chilling new photos that show his sniper’s nest https://t.co/rtbXXSe1fm https://t.co/YgjBVRbHyo" / X

New Year 2025 Violent Start

Tragedy on Bourbon Street: The New Year’s 2025 Terrorist Attack in New Orleans

In the early hours of January 1, 2025, a horrific terrorist attack shattered the festive atmosphere of New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, leaving 14 revelers dead and at least 57 others injured. At around 3:15 a.m. CST, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Houston, Texas, drove a rented Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the city’s iconic French Quarter. The attack, which the FBI has classified as an act of domestic terrorism inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS), has reignited debates about public safety, the evolving nature of terrorism, and the challenges of preventing such attacks.

The Attack: A Night of Celebration Turned to Chaos

Bourbon Street, known worldwide for its vibrant nightlife and as a hub for New Year’s Eve parties, was packed with people ringing in 2025. Many were in town for the Sugar Bowl college football playoff game scheduled later that day at the Superdome. Witnesses described a scene of joy turning to horror as Jabbar’s white pickup truck barreled through the crowd at high speed, deliberately targeting pedestrians over a three-block stretch. Surveillance footage later revealed the truck bypassing a police barricade, driving onto the sidewalk, and accelerating into the crowd.

Zion Parsons, a bystander, told CNN, “The best way I can describe it is truly a war zone. There were bodies and blood and all the trash. People were terrified, running, screaming.” Jim and Nicole Mowrer, visiting from Iowa, recounted to CBS News how they narrowly escaped the truck’s path, later finding several victims who had been fatally struck. After mowing down dozens, Jabbar exited the vehicle armed with an AR-15-style rifle with a homemade suppressor and a handgun, opening fire on police. Two officers were injured in the ensuing shootout, but they managed to fatally shoot Jabbar. The officers were later reported to be in stable condition.

The attack left 14 dead, including a young mother, a former Princeton football player, and a New York-based account executive named Billy DiMaio, who was described by his employer, Audacy, as a “true asset” known for his kindness and work ethic. At least 57 others were injured, including two Israeli citizens and a University of Georgia student. The New Orleans Coroner, Dr. Dwight McKenna, noted that identifying the victims would take several days due to the need for autopsies and notifications of next of kin.

The Attacker: A Lone Wolf Inspired by ISIS

The FBI identified the attacker as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran who served as a human resources and IT specialist from 2007 to 2015, and later in the Army Reserve until 2020. Jabbar, who had a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Georgia State University, struggled to adjust to civilian life after his military service, according to a 2015 interview with the university’s student paper. He had worked at Deloitte since 2021, and the company expressed outrage over the attack, pledging to assist authorities.

Investigators found an ISIS flag in the truck, along with two pipe bombs concealed in coolers, rigged with shrapnel and a wireless remote for detonation. The FBI described the bombs as “crude” and indicative of Jabbar’s inexperience, as they lacked proper detonators despite containing RDX, a powerful explosive. Jabbar had posted five videos on social media between 1:29 a.m. and 3:02 a.m. that morning, pledging allegiance to ISIS and expressing a desire to kill. In one video, he revealed he had initially planned to target his family but shifted focus to ensure headlines would highlight the “war between the believers and the disbelievers,” according to FBI Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia.

The FBI initially suspected Jabbar had accomplices, citing surveillance footage showing three men and a woman placing one of the explosive devices. However, by January 2, the agency concluded Jabbar acted alone, with no evidence of direct contact or direction from ISIS, pointing to a case of self-radicalization. Jabbar’s family expressed shock, telling CNN that the man they knew was not the one who carried out this attack. Videos he recorded while driving from Houston to New Orleans also mentioned his divorce and a desire to kill his family, hinting at personal struggles that may have contributed to his radicalization.

A City’s Vulnerability: The Failure of Security Measures

The attack exposed significant vulnerabilities in New Orleans’ security infrastructure. The city had previously installed permanent vehicle barriers, known as bollards, to protect the French Quarter from such attacks, but they were undergoing replacement ahead of the Super Bowl on February 9, 2025. Temporary Archer barriers, acquired in 2017, were available but not deployed until after the attack, a decision that baffled Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, who was unaware of their existence until after the incident. A 2019 report by Interfor International had warned of the “highly possible” risk of vehicular attacks in the French Quarter, recommending immediate improvements to bollard systems—a warning that went unheeded.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the incident a “terrorist attack,” a designation the FBI later confirmed. Kirkpatrick emphasized Jabbar’s intent, stating, “He was hell-bent on creating the carnage that he did.” The attack occurred despite the police force being “staffed 100%” for New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl, highlighting the difficulty of preventing such low-tech, high-impact attacks. Paul Mauro, a former NYPD inspector, told Fox News that vehicle-ramming has become a “tactic of choice” for terrorists globally due to its devastating potential, especially with a 5,000-pound vehicle in an urban area.

National and International Response

President Joe Biden, speaking from Camp David on January 1, condemned the “despicable attack,” noting Jabbar’s ISIS inspiration and desire to kill. Biden expressed solidarity with the victims, saying, “My heart goes out to the victims and their families who were simply trying to celebrate the holiday.” President-elect Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, called the attack an “act of pure evil,” vowing support for New Orleans during his upcoming administration. He controversially linked the attack to broader crime rates, a claim that lacks substantiation but reflects his campaign rhetoric on immigration and security.

Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed the FBI’s terrorism investigation, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Security Division. The rifle used by Jabbar was legally purchased in Arlington, Texas, on November 19, 2024, though the handgun’s origins remain under investigation. The truck, rented via the peer-to-peer platform Turo, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, in November, though Jabbar was not the driver at the time.

The attack drew comparisons to other vehicle-ramming incidents, such as the 2016 Nice, France, attack that killed 86 people, and a recent Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 20, 2024, which killed five. Islamic terrorist groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda have long promoted such tactics, with ISIS’s Rumiyah magazine in 2016 encouraging supporters to use vehicles to “mow down the enemies of Allah.”

A Critical Perspective: Systemic Failures and Broader Implications

While the attack was a tragedy, it also raises critical questions about systemic failures. The removal of the bollards, despite known risks, points to a lack of coordination and foresight by city officials. The 2019 Interfor report’s recommendations were ignored, and the failure to deploy temporary barriers during a high-profile event like New Year’s Eve in New Orleans—a city preparing for the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras—suggests a prioritization of optics over safety. The fact that Jabbar used an electric vehicle, a Ford F-150 Lightning, adds a new dimension to the threat, as its silent operation and rapid acceleration likely increased its lethality, a concern noted by the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism.

Moreover, Jabbar’s self-radicalization reflects a broader challenge in counterterrorism. The FBI’s initial suspicion of accomplices, later retracted, underscores the difficulty of tracking lone actors who are inspired by, but not directly connected to, terrorist groups. The use of peer-to-peer platforms like Turo and Airbnb, where Jabbar stayed in the St. Roch area, highlights how modern technology can facilitate anonymity for attackers, lowering operational barriers. This evolving tactic demands a reevaluation of how such platforms are monitored without infringing on privacy.

The attack also amplifies concerns about the vulnerability of “soft targets” like Bourbon Street. Devorah Margolin of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy told NPR that vehicular attacks are “quite hard to stop,” especially in areas where civilians are relaxed and enjoying themselves. The Department of Homeland Security has warned since 2010 that vehicle-ramming allows terrorists without access to explosives to carry out deadly attacks, a threat that has grown as ISIS and other groups promote such tactics.

Moving Forward: Resilience and Reflection

Bourbon Street reopened on January 2, with a large cross and flowers marking the site of the attack, where a vigil was held on January 4. The Sugar Bowl proceeded on January 2 with heightened security, as fans passed through checkpoints at the Superdome. New Orleans, a city known for its resilience, faces a long road to recovery, with the emotional scars of the attack lingering as it prepares for major events like the Super Bowl.

This tragedy underscores the need for better urban planning, improved counterterrorism strategies, and a serious reckoning with the impacts of climate change and societal alienation that can fuel radicalization. As one local, Jamal LeBlanc, told AP News, “We are a resilient people, we’re strong, we bounce back.” But resilience alone isn’t enough—systemic changes are needed to prevent such attacks in the future. What are your thoughts on how cities can better protect against such threats? Share your views in the comments below.