Charlie Kirk shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University in attempted assassination of conservative speaker [VIDEO]

Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, was shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Unverified sources claimed that the conservative firebrand was wounded in the throat by a single gunshot. An anonymous 'older' male identified as the gunman was apprehended. 

On Wednesday, footage from the scene showed event-goers screaming as shots were fired.

Kirk was conducting a question-and-answer session with students when shooting broke out.

Students were seen panicking and leaving the area in leaked footage moments after shooting erupted.

According to school officials, gunshots were fired from the top of a building on campus, around 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking from under a tent.

The incident came just moments after Kirk postiing on X just minutes before that he was at the university.

‘WE. ARE. SO. BACK,’ Kirk wrote at 2.23pm EST.

‘Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.’

Was shooting politically motivated against conservative firebrand?

A suspect was taken into custody, according to a UVU alert sent to students. The campus was evacuated.

‘A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody,’ an alert from UVU said according to deseret.com

Authorities had yet to say what led up to the shooting along with the identity of the alleged gunman and their motivation.

In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency is monitoring the shooting.

 

‘We are closely monitoring reports of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,’ he wrote. ‘Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected. Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.’

The incident led to conservative commentators reacting.

Republican Utah senator Mike Lee said: ‘I am tracking the situation at Utah Valley University closely. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk and the students gathered there.’

Right-wing pundit Candace Owens also reacted to the shooting.

She wrote: ‘Everyone please stop what you are doing and pray for Charlie Kirk. Please.’