Charlie Kirk Assassination: Manhunt Ongoing After Utah Campus Shooting
A massive manhunt is underway in Utah after conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday.
Authorities said Kirk, 31, was struck by a single bullet around 12:20 p.m. while addressing an outdoor crowd of nearly 3,000 people in the campus courtyard. He was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Shooter Captured on Security Footage
The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) said security cameras captured a person “dressed in all dark clothing” believed to be responsible for the shooting. Investigators believe the gunman fired from a rooftop overlooking the event.
“The only information we have on the possible shooter is taken from closed-circuit TV here on campus,” DPS Commissioner Beau Mason said. “We’re analyzing it, but the quality is limited.”
Officials stressed the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack, though they declined to provide further details to protect the investigation.
Suspects Questioned, Then Released
Law enforcement initially detained two individuals in the hours after the attack. One was charged with obstruction by campus police, while the other was questioned and released. Neither has been directly linked to the shooting.
DPS confirmed that multiple active crime scenes are being processed, with assistance from the FBI, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and university police.
FBI Calls for Public Assistance
The FBI has asked the public to share any photos, videos, or information related to the shooting. At the time of the attack, six campus officers and Kirk’s private security were on site.
“This is a tragic moment for Utah and our country,” DPS said in a statement.
National Fallout
The assassination sent shockwaves through political circles. Former President Donald Trump reacted quickly on Truth Social, confirming Kirk’s death and later issuing a recorded video statement from the White House. Trump condemned the attack, blaming the “radical left” for fueling political violence and vowing to hold those responsible accountable.
Details are still developing.