In a shocking act of violence, influential conservative activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University. Authorities reported that the shooting was carried out by a lone sniper, whom Utah’s governor described as having committed a political assassination. The incident occurred during a midday event attended by approximately 3,000 people, sending the campus into chaos and triggering an immediate and extensive manhunt.
As of Wednesday night, roughly eight hours after the attack, no suspect was in custody. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason confirmed that the perpetrator, who is believed to have fired a single shot from a distant rooftop sniper’s nest on campus, remained at large. State police later announced that two men had been detained for questioning but were subsequently released, stating that neither individual had any current ties to the shooting. The investigation and search for the gunman continued unabated.
The assassination was captured in cellphone videos posted online, which showed Kirk speaking at an outdoor event around 12:20 p.m. when a gunshot suddenly rang out. The footage depicted Kirk moving his hand toward his neck as he fell from his chair, causing panic as onlookers fled. Another clip showed blood gushing from his neck wound immediately after the shot was fired. University police chief Jeff Long noted that six campus officers were working the event in coordination with Kirk’s own private security team, which was also present on site.
In response to the killing, former President Donald Trump posted a video message from the Oval Office to his Truth Social platform, vowing that his administration would relentlessly pursue those responsible. “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,” Trump declared. The incident has sent shockwaves through the political world, highlighting deep national divisions.
