EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated.
OREM, Utah (BP) – Outspoken conservative advocate Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday (Sept. 10) at an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk was immediately rushed to a local hospital. University officials initially said law enforcement had arrested the gunman but later said there was no suspect in custody. No one else was shot during the event.
Kirk is the co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, a non-profit aimed at spreading conservative principles on high school and college campuses.
Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong” The Associated Press reported. A single shot rings out and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away.
“What we’ve witnessed today is pure evil and wickedness. We need to be praying for a miracle for Charlie Kirk. We need to pray for his family. We need to pray for the Lord to bring revival to our land. Maranatha,” Miles Mullin, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission acting president told Baptist Press.
SBC President Clint Pressley posted, “Lord have mercy. Praying.” on X moments after news outlets began posting clips of panicked students running from the scene where the sniper’s shot rang out.
Turning Point USA’s website says the group works to “Educate students about the importance of freedom, free markets, and limited government.”
TPUSA also works with many Christian churches through their TPUSA Faith initiative to help with “empowering Christians to put their faith into action.”
Several former SBC presidents also took to social media following the shooting.
“Praying for Charlie and for an end to this kind of wickedness. This is not democracy but savagery,” posted J.D. Greear.
Ronnie Floyd posted, “Pray for Charlie Kirk!”
U.S. Speaker of the House and former Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission trustee Mike Johnson (R-LA) quickly called on people to “Please join us in praying for our good friend, Charlie Kirk.”
Related posts:
Trump issues strong defense of religious liberty, unborn in State of the Union address 
LifeSpring Church: Keeping Missions in the Forefront 
District court strikes down Title IX change that would change meaning of ‘sex’ 
High court backs church in public benefits case 
1 pastor dead, Cameron remains flooded, many churches damaged by Laura 
Justices weigh same-sex marriage arguments 
Death penalty debate rekindled by SCOTUS ruling 
SBC presidents unite, declare stand on marriage
