BREAKING: Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at college event in Utah

Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the Four More Tour at the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort in Chandler, Arizona in 2020. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

Founder and President of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk has been shot in an incident that took place at a Utah Valley University event earlier this afternoon.

Prayer requests for Kirk flooded across social media platforms after video footage depicting him being shot in the neck began to circulate on X. Kirk had been discussing the rising phenomenon of violent attacks perpetrated by trans-identifying individuals. 

AP News reported on X that Kirk has died.

Bishop Michael Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth asked for the faithful to "please pray for the repose of Charlie's soul and for his widow and young children who will grow up without a father. Pray that God deliver us from this violent attack on peaceful, respectful and intelligent discourse."

Please pray for the repose of Charlie’s soul and for his widow and young children who will grow up without a father. Pray that God deliver us from this violent attack on peaceful, respectful and intelligent discourse. @FWdiocese @NTCatholic @TCUCatholic @UCCatUTA @TXCatholic https://t.co/puoG6nL2jZ

— Bishop Michael Olson (@BpOlsonFW) September 10, 2025

“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance wrote immediately after news broke of the attack. 

“Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour,” Vance wrote in another post.

President Donald Trump also posted his platform Truth Social: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”

Kirk is married to his wife, Erika, and is the father of two children. 

Police have reportedly arrested a man in connection with the attack, according to videos posted on social media. The man has not been identified. 

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Capitol Hill will host a prayer vigil for Kirk after its 5:15 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration.

Kirk, who has described himself as evangelical, recently went viral on social media for his surprising take on the Virgin Mary, saying during an episode of “The Charlie Kirk Show” on the Real America’s Voice channel that he believed Protestants do not talk about or venerate Mary enough, adding that Mary “is the solution” to “toxic feminism in America.”

“Mary was clearly important to early Christians,” Kirk said. “Have more young ladies be pious, be reverent, be full of faith, slow to anger, slow to words at times. Mary is a phenomenal example, and I think a counter to so much of the toxicity of feminism in the modern era.”

Bishop Robert Barron was among those to post immediately after the attack, writing: “Please pray for Charlie Kirk.” 

FBI Director Kash Patel said that “agents will be on the scene quickly,” and that the FBI would be standing “in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated: “I’ve been briefed on the shooting in Utah. Casey and I are praying for Charlie Kirk and his family.”

“My heart is sick. Charlie is a friend. A good, courageous man. Who cares passionately and deeply about this country. Who loves life. A father and husband. Pray for him, pray earnestly. Pray for his family. Pray for our country. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy,” Live Action Founder Lila Rose wrote in a social media post.

This is a developing story. NTC staff has contributed to this report.

Madalaine Elhabbal is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency based at EWTN’s Washington, D.C., bureau