OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer, was shot and killed while at a rally on the Utah Valley University campus on Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses shared with NewsNation local affiliate ABC4 their harrowing experiences.
Earlier today, conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot while at a speaking event on the Utah Valley University campus. Orem Fire Department has stated that the suspect is not in custody, and it is still an active shooter situation. The incident is being investigated by Orem Police, UVU police, the FBI, and the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Charlie Kirk dead after being shot at Utah event
A mathematics professor at UVU said that he was on campus when the event took place. He was in shock to hear that Kirk has succumbed to his injuries.
“I watched Charlie Kirk on YouTube a few times. He had these controversial things, but that’s no excuse for gun violence,” the professor said.
The professor said that this event is traumatizing for everyone involved. “When I saw students running off from the campus over the bridge, they were, a lot of them were crying. It was traumatizing for everyone,” the professor said.
Turning Point USA statement to staff following Charlie Kirk’s death
A witness, who was only 10-15 feet away from Kirk, spoke on the traumatic event saying that “as soon as the gun went off, we kind of hit the floor, started praying. Everyone was screaming.”
Witnesses pray after Charlie Kirk was shot, courtesy Jonah Collier
The witness said that there was not good security at the event. He said that no one was checking for tickets— for which people were supposed to register beforehand.
Who is Charlie Kirk? Conservative activist shot at event
“They weren’t even looking for tickets. Anyone could just walk in. It was at, probably, the worst place on campus because there is just so many areas where anyone can just walk in,” the witness said.
‘UVU kind of failed him,’ witness at Charlie Kirk event says
The witness said that he did not see any attendees get injured, but he did see people celebrating after Kirk was shot. “I did see a select group of students who stood up and cheered after that fact,” he said.
