Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot while at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem and was removed by his security team while bleeding.

Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and taken to a nearby hospital while speaking during an outdoor event on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University in Orem. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI UPI

Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot while at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem and was removed by his security team while bleeding from his neck.

A suspect is in custody, and Kirk's condition is unknown, according to university officials, NBC News and CNN reported.

"Today at about 12:10 p.m. [local time] a shot was fired at the visiting speaker, Charlie Kirk," University officials said in a statement released to media.

"He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, [and] a suspect is in custody."

Kirk is a co-founder of Turning Point USA, which is a conservative non-profit that promotes conservative causes and viewpoints at colleges, universities and other elsewhere, and supports President Donald Trump.

"We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

He called Kirk a "great guy from top to bottom" and concluded his post with, "God bless him!"

Kirk, 31, is a father of two and spoke during the 2024 Republican Convention in Milwaukee shortly after a would-be assassin tried to shoot and kill Trump.

Intermountain Health Utah Valley Hospital is located near the university, which is located about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.