UVU shooting of Charlie Kirk led to school closures across Orem

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Utah Valley University is set to close for five days after an individual shot and killed political activist Charlie Kirk while he was on campus. Additionally, many surrounding schools faced temporary closures.

Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA were holding an event at Utah Valley University. The event was being held at 12 p.m. in the UVU Courtyard. Prior to the event, a petition was created to protest Charlie Kirk’s planned appearances at UVU and Utah State University.

Around 12:20 p.m., a single shot rang out, hitting Kirk. Kirk was taken to the hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries. Utah Valley University issued a ‘shelter-in-place’ order and asked students to stay in place until police could escort them off campus.

Utah Valley University has since stated that the campus is all-clear and that there is no ongoing threat. However, as it is an ongoing investigation, the campus will remain closed until September 15, 2025.

UVU and other schools went on lockdown following a fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. Courtesy: MJ Jewkes and Sarah Murphy // KTVX

Shortly after the shooting, several surrounding schools were placed on ‘SECURE’ protocol, meaning that they brought everyone inside, locked exterior doors, and accounted for all students. Those schools were Lakeridge Junior High, Westmore Elementary, Orem Elementary, Cherry Hill Elementary, and Vineyard Elementary.

Later, Alpine School District announced that the SECURE protocol had been lifted at Lakeridge Junior High, Cherry Hill Elementary School, and Vineyard Elementary School, with law enforcement assisting with a controlled release at Lakeridge Junior High.

At Cherry Hill and Vineyard Elementary, parents were able to pick up their students as normal. Orem Elementary and Westmore Elementary remained on SECURE status until the normal release times.

University of Utah also released a statement, informing students that they are monitoring the situation and that University of Utah Public Safety is in close contact with law enforcement. They will also be increasing patrols on campus to make officers available to speak to anyone on campus who are concerned about the shooting and campus safety.