Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk Shot at Utah University Event

Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative youth group Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck during a question-and-answer event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The incident occurred as Kirk spoke to hundreds of students and was captured on video, causing panic and a shelter-in-place order on campus. A suspect, described as an older man in a worker's uniform, was taken into custody, and Kirk was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Kirk, 31, gained national prominence for his conservative activism and was known for his divisive debates and promotion of election fraud misinformation after the 2020 election. His wife, Erika Frantzve, a former Miss Arizona USA and Christian leadership podcaster, has been a supportive presence, and the couple has two young children. President Trump publicly prayed for Kirk's recovery, highlighting their close political relationship.