Charlie Kirk shooting – what we know so far

Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and rightwing activist, has been shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. Here’s what we know so far:

• Donald Trump said Kirk, 31, had died after being shot during a presentation on campus. The US president wrote: The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!

• The university said after the shooting that Kirk had been taken away by his security. He was taken to hospital.

• Campus police are investigating the incident. The university said the suspect is not in custody. A person arrested earlier has been released.

• Kirk, the executive director of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was shot at about 12.10pm local time while appearing at an event. In video posts circulating on social media, Kirk can be seen getting struck while speaking and sitting beneath a tent. Kirk was there as part of The American Comeback Tour, which is hosted by the TPUSA chapter at Utah Valley. Video footage shows students on campus running away from the sound of gunshots.

• Kirk was about 20 minutes into a presentation when a shot was fired from a nearby building, the university told CNBC. The university has said a “single shot” was fired towards Kirk.

• The FBI director, Kash Patel, has said that his agency is “closely monitoring” the situation.

• The shooting sparked immediate condemnation from Republicans and Democrats. Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro and Chuck Schumer condemned the attack. JD Vance, Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth paid tribute to Kirk and asked the public to pray for him.

• The House speaker, Mike Johnson, told reporters in the Capitol that “political violence has become all too common in American society. This is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country.”

• Spencer Cox, Utah’s governor, said that he had been “briefed by law enforcement following the violence directed at Charlie Kirk during his visit to Utah Valley University today”. Cox added that “those responsible will be held fully accountable”, and urged “Americans of every political persuasion” to condemn the shooting. He offered his prayers for Kirk, his family and all those affected.