Conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting occurred around 12:24 PM as Kirk spoke as part of the American Comeback Tour.
According to an internal email from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the suspect fired from an elevated position on a rooftop in an adjacent building. Surveillance footage captured the suspect fleeing the scene on foot after the shot. Law enforcement discovered an older model Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, wrapped in a towel, in a nearby wooded area. The firearm was found with a spent cartridge still chambered and three unspent rounds, all engraved with messages reflecting transgender and anti-fascist sentiments.
The ATF has submitted an emergency trace on the firearm, and the FBI is conducting forensic analysis to gather DNA and fingerprint evidence. Multiple persons of interest have been contacted or detained based on eyewitness accounts and video footage. However, the primary suspect has yet to be identified. The investigation is being jointly led by the FBI and Utah State Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from various federal, state, and local partners.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern, with Utah Governor calling it a political assassination. As the investigation unfolds, further updates are expected. For recent developments in this case, stay tuned.
