Conservative political leader Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at a Utah college on Sept. 9. The Associated Press reported that Kirk has been hospitalized in critical condition.
Kirk is an outspoken right-wing media figure and the leader of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth activist organization. Kirk rose to social media prominence in 2012 at just 18, and in the years since has transformed Turning Point USA into an influential conservative media operation.
As gruesome videos of the shooting appeared online, President Donald Trump, politicians from across the political spectrum, fans, and critics alike shared messages of thoughts and prayers. On his Truth Social social networking site, the President wrote, “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Mashable is choosing not to share videos of the shooting, which shows Kirk speaking to a large crowd at a Utah Valley University event. The video shows Kirk responding to a question about mass shootings while sitting underneath a Turning Points USA banner emblazoned with the messages “Prove Me Wrong” and “The American Comeback.” As he speaks, his head suddenly rocks back, and he appears to suffer a grievous neck wound as the crowd panics and runs from the scene.
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The New York Times reported that a shooter fired a single shot from a building some 200 yards from Kirk. The Times initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody at the scene, but that police have since determined that the individual was not the shooter. NBC News reported that no suspects are in custody at this time, citing a Utah Valley University spokesperson.
Social media users shared videos of an older white man being taken into custody; however, misleading video clips often spread online in the aftermath of a tragedy, and internet sleuths have a history of misidentifying suspects in the aftermath of a shooting.
Major political figures shared messages of shock, horror, and sympathy.
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This is a developing story and will be updated as new details emerge…
