Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday afternoon.

The Utah Department of Public Safety said it was believed to be a targeted attack against Kirk, who was struck by a single gunshot and died at Timpanogos Hospital.

Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed a person of interest was in custody.

“This is a dark day for our state; it’s a tragic day for our nation,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”

A university report said a “single shot rang out,” in the quad near UVU’s food court at 12:20 p.m. as Kirk began speaking at a planned rally that was part of his “The American Comeback Tour.”

Thousands of students were in attendance at the event and could be seen fleeing the scene on v

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