‘’Counting or not counting gang violence?’’ Kirk asked.
Then a single shot rang out.
Utah Valley University said the campus was immediately evacuated and remained closed. Classes were canceled until further notice. Those still on campus were asked to stay in place until police officers could safely escort them off campus. Armed officers walked around the neighborhood bordering the campus, knocking on doors and asking for information on the shooter.
Officers have been seen looking at a photo on their phones and showing it to people to see if they recognize a person of interest.
The event, billed as the first stop on Kirk’s ‘’The American Comeback Tour,’’ had generated a polarizing campus reaction. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its ‘’commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.’’
Last week, Kirk posted on X images of news clips showing his visit to Utah colleges was sparking controversy. He wrote, ‘’What’s going on in Utah?’’