Prominent conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk died on Wednesday after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was participating in a live question-and-answer session with students when he was struck in the neck by a bullet. Emergency personnel rushed him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His killing marks one of the most high-profile political assassinations in recent American history, sparking widespread outrage and grief across the country.
Law enforcement has not yet identified or apprehended the shooter. In the immediate aftermath, video circulated on social media showing a man in handcuffs being led away by police near the campus. Several media outlets reported the man as the potential suspect. However, conflicting information soon emerged.
On Wednesday evening, FBI Director Kash Parel initially claimed a suspect had been taken into custody, posting to X (formerly Twitter):
“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. We will provide updates when able.”
Hours later, FBI spokesman Jeremy S. Redmon issued a clarifying statement. According to Redmon, a person of interest was briefly detained and questioned but later released after investigators reviewed surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and eyewitness accounts. He confirmed that the detained individual was not the shooter.
Redmon revealed that investigators believe the shot may have been fired from an elevated position 100–200 yards away, suggesting a sniper-style attack. The FBI, in coordination with Orem Police, UVU campus security, and the Utah Department of Public Safety, is conducting a comprehensive manhunt. Authorities urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid approaching suspicious individuals, and submit tips through the FBI hotline.
The murder has already sent shockwaves through political circles. President Donald Trump offered condolences to Kirk’s family, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in his memory. Other prominent conservatives also voiced outrage, portraying Kirk’s death as a politically motivated act of violence.
On Capitol Hill, tensions flared within hours of the news. A moment of silence requested by Rep. Lauren Boebert was met with resistance from Democratic lawmakers, sparking heated verbal exchanges and accusations across the chamber. The incident underscored how quickly Kirk’s killing has become entangled in the nation’s polarized political climate.