Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a campus event Utah Valley University.
Update:
The FBI believed they had Kirk’s suspected killer in custody, but despite Kash Patel’s announcement, the person of interest was later released.
“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi,” he posted on Wednesday.
The person of interest was briefly detained at the scene, but released by investigators. “He was released from custody after we identified that he did not match the shooting suspect and was not an accurate person of interest,” Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason said at a press conference.
🚨 BREAKING: FBI reveals security camera images of the shooter/suspect in the Charlie Kirk Assassination at Utah Valley University.
FBI have recovered a bolt action riffle and ammunition to the weapon that's engraved with transgender and antifascist ideology.
$100,000 reward! pic.twitter.com/UYMIEuBFxz
— Algovich (@Algovich_) September 11, 2025
“However, he has been booked in the county jail by Utah Valley University Police Department for obstruction of justice. We do still have an active investigation for the person of interest.”
According to President Donald Trump, investigators are getting closer to identify the suspect, after publicly releasing videos and screenshots of his image.
“I hear they’re making big progress, and we’ll have to see what happens,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Charlie Kirk dead at 31
Despite early reports that an elderly suspect had been detained, authorities eventually confirmed the gunman remained at large prior to the above update.
“There is no suspect in custody, it is an active investigation,” university spokesperson Ellen Treanor told the New York Times.
Police are advising students to remain vigilant, offering escorts to those still on campus.
“Police will come and escort you out of the building,” the university posted on X. “Public transportation available at Orem Station by pedestrian bridge.”
The shocking incident unfolded as Kirk, 31, addressed students beneath a white tent on campus. Videos posted online captured the moment a single gunshot rang out.
Kirk is seen recoiling, clutching his neck as blood poured from a wound. Panicked onlookers screamed as the crowd scattered.
Kirk, a central figure in youth conservative politics and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was quickly rushed away by his security team. He was later confirmed dead.
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his… pic.twitter.com/aM8Pz3TKml
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 10, 2025
Trump announced the news on Truth Social, writing, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Charlie Kirk was shot at an event with low security
Authorities say the shooting happened around 12:20 p.m. during a debate hosted by Turning Point USA.
According to Treanor, shots were fired from a building roughly 200 yards away from where Kirk was speaking. Witnesses described confusion and terror as the scene unfolded.
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who was present, told Fox News he heard one loud shot and saw Kirk fall back.
“It seemed like it was a close shot,” Chaffetz said, adding that security at the event appeared light.
“Utah is one of the safest places on the planet. And so we just don’t have these types of things.”
Conflicting reports initially suggested a suspect had been detained after police escorted an elderly man away from the scene.
Video footage showed the man making bizarre remarks and shouting for others to “shoot him,” though officials later clarified he was not believed to be the gunman.
At the time, the shooter remained unidentified and at large, sparking a massive police presence on campus.
Governor Spencer Cox vowed that the perpetrator would be caught. “I just got off the phone with President Trump,” Cox wrote on social media.
“Working with the FBI and Utah law enforcement, we will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy.”
Lawmakers offer condolences and condemnations of violence
Political figures from both parties rapidly reacted, with many condemning the violence and offering condolences.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis interrupted a press conference when he learned of Kirk’s shooting.
“What happened today was not just an attack on Charlie personally, but really an attack on the idea that we resolve these things through reason, debate, and elections,” DeSantis said.
🚨TODAY: Governor DeSantis reacts to the Charlie Kirk shooting.
“What happened today was not just an attack on Charlie personally, but really an attack on the idea that we resolve these things through reason, debate, and elections.“ pic.twitter.com/95iI8lMvjv
— Chris Nelson 🏝️🇺🇸 (@ReOpenChris) September 10, 2025
“We’re praying for him and his family, but I think we also have to reflect on the fact that the way to resolve political disputes is not through violence.”
Lawmakers and officials across the political spectrum echoed those concerns.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson urged Americans to “please join us in praying for our good friend, Charlie Kirk.” Senator Mike Lee of Utah posted, “This is a good time to pray.”
Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, saying, “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.”
We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 10, 2025
Other high-profile voices included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called the shooting “horrifying,” and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who stated, “Political violence is NEVER acceptable. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the event as “reprehensible” and urged Americans to keep the university community in their hearts.
Vice President JD Vance shared photos of himself with Kirk and wrote, “Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour.” Following Kirk’s death, he later posted, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour. pic.twitter.com/RqNYfHLs2b
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 10, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents were assisting with the investigation, pledging full cooperation with local authorities.
Kirk’s rise in national conservative politics made him one of the most influential young voices on the right.
His organization, Turning Point USA, became a prominent force on college campuses, drawing both support and controversy.
In the days leading up to the shooting, nearly 1,000 students had signed an online petition urging administrators to cancel his appearance, though the university defended his right to speak, citing a commitment to free speech and open dialogue.
Law enforcement locked down Utah Valley University and searched buildings and rooftops, until the suspect was located.
