Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot; RI Leaders React

Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after he was shot during a college event in Utah, President Trump told The Associated Press. The college reported that a suspect was taken into custody.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat, said "all voices deserve safety."

"Political violence is unacceptable," McKee posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"The attack on Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University underscores that all voices deserve safety," McKee said. "Our thoughts are with him, his family and everyone affected."

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed likewise took to X to condemn the killing.

"I strongly condemn today’s reprehensible attack on Charlie Kirk & hope he will be okay and the shooter is brought to justice," Reed posted.

"Violence like today’s shooting undermines the very foundation of our democracy & only serves to sow division, hate, and fear," he said.

Rhode Island's other senator, Sheldon Whitehouse, echoed McKee's thoughts on political violence.

"There is no place for political violence in America," Whitehouse posted to X.

"Thank you to the law enforcement officers who acted quickly to apprehend the suspect and prevent further harm," Whitehouse said. "I hope Charlie Kirk will be okay."

Videos shared on social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk seated beneath a white tent marked with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong,” speaking into a handheld microphone. A single gunshot is heard, and Kirk clutches his neck as blood pours from the left side. Spectators gasp and scream before scattering. The Associated Press confirmed the footage was recorded at the Sorensen Center courtyard on the UVU campus.

“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” said Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA.

Kirk had been speaking at a debate organized by his nonprofit. The appearance was controversial on campus: an online petition urging administrators to block the event drew nearly 1,000 signatures. In response, the university issued a statement last week citing the First Amendment and reaffirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”

Days earlier, Kirk posted on X about the backlash, sharing screenshots of local news coverage of his Utah campus tour with the caption: “What’s going on in Utah?”

The university confirmed that a “single shot” had been fired and that a suspect was in custody.

President Donald Trump and numerous elected officials from both parties condemned the shooting and offered prayers on social media. “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

As a mark of respect, President Trump has ordered all flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Charlie Kirk, a political activist, who was assassinated at a Utah university on Wednesday afternoon. Flags will fly at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, September 14.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.