Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer active in Wisconsin politics, is shot at Utah event

A prominent conservative activist who has campaigned heavily in Wisconsin in recent election cycles was shot Wednesday, prompting state Republicans to call for prayers across the state.

Charlie Kirk, leader of Turning Point USA, was shot during a question-and-answer session with students at an event held on Utah Valley University’s campus. Utah Valley University was the latest stop on Kirk’s The American Comeback Tour with his organization. The event was scheduled for 12 p.m. local time on Sept. 10.

“Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk, the students in attendance, and our first responders. There’s no place for political violence,” Republican candidate for governor Josh Schoemann said in a post on X.

Details of the shooting, including a motive, has not yet been released by police. Kirk’s shooting comes about a year after President Donald Trump was shot at a rally ahead of his reelection in November 2024.

Aubrey Laitsch, the public relations manager for Turning Point USA told CNN Kirk was in a hospital but did not release any other details about his condition.

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican who represents the 3rd Congressional District, said “this leftwing political violence must stop now.” “I am praying fervently for @charliekirk11 and his family,” Van Orden said in a post on X. “Whoever does not condemn this is part of the problem. The gloves are off.”

Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Brian Schimming said in a statement that the “political violence that we have seen in recent years must come to an end.””We at WisGOP are holding Charlie Kirk in our thoughts and prayers. As Americans, we need to stand against these violent attacks,” he said.

State Sen. Julian Bradley, a Republican from New Berlin, said “Political violence is against everything our country stands for.”

“We settle our disagreements through discourse and debate. Choosing violence is never the answer!!! Join me in praying for Charlie.” he wrote on X.

Democrats condemned the shooting, too.”There is no two ways about this: political violence has no place in America. I am keeping Charlie and his family in my thoughts in this truly horrifying moment,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Madison, said in a post on X.

Kelda Roys, a Democratic state senator who is expected to run for governor in 2026, said, “I don’t agree with Charlie Kirk on virtually anything, but I fully support his right to speak freely. “Violence is NEVER an acceptable way to solve our political disputes.”

Ben Wikler, the former chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said political violence “deserves universal condemnation, every time.”

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Democrat who this week announced a campaign for governor, said “there is no justification for political violence—period.”

“What happened to Charlie Kirk in Utah is unacceptable. We don’t have to agree, but we must reject hate and violence in every form,” Crowley said.

Kirk’s organization Turning Point began as a youth-focused group active on college campuses and has since expanded its voter outreach operations, particularly in Wisconsin. The group was criticized earlier this year by some state Republicans for attempting to have more influence in how Republicans handle campaigns.

Kirk has been present in Wisconsin during past campaign seasons in the battleground state. He and Donald Trump Jr. visited Oconomowoc in March to rally for Brad Schimel, a conservative state Supreme Court candidate who lost the race.

He also delivered remarks at the 2024 Republican National Convention held in Milwaukee and appeared at events for conservatives around the city during the week-long event.

Kirk visited the University of Wisconsin-Madison in September 2024 as the first stop on his “You’re Being Brainwashed” tour, according to the Daily Cardinal, a student newspaper at the university.

About 150 people attended that event, where Kirk debated with students on issues like abortion, gay marriage and affirmative action. No counter-protestors were present, according to the Badger Herald, another newspaper at the university.

Other conservative speakers that visited the campus in previous years, including Matt Walsh, which drew protests and vandalism on university property.

The College Republicans chapter at UW-Madison in a statement said Kirk’s work has “injected life into the conservative movement and made free thinkers on campus feel that they are not alone.”

“Charlie Kirk has dedicated his life to changing the culture and helping young conservatives make a difference on college campuses,” the chapter said.

This is a developing story and will update.