Conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been shot while addressing students at an event at Utah Valley University, in an attack caught on camera.

Kirk, a fervent supporter of President Donald Trump, is the founder of Turning Point USA, a group that seeks to spread conservative ideas to students on US campuses.

Officials say he had just begun speaking when a single gunshot rang out. Videos verified by BBC show him jolting backwards in his chair as students scatter in panic.

Police quickly detained a suspect, who authorities say is not a student. Trump has posted, "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. God bless him."

A spokeswoman for Utah Valley University, Ellen Treanor, said the gunfire came from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away.