The Shooting of Charlie Kirk
President Donald Trump announced that a suspect had been taken into custody in the killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist who co-founded the right-wing advocacy group Turning Point USA. Kirk, who was 31 years old, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University.
Trump made the statement on “Fox and Friends” on Friday morning, claiming that the suspect’s capture would be officially announced later that day. He also mentioned that the suspect’s father had convinced his son to turn himself in. However, authorities have not yet identified or apprehended a suspect, nor have they specified a motive for the shooting.
New Details Emerge
On Thursday, officials revealed new details about the shooter’s movements, a weapon that was recovered, and the progress of the investigation. The Utah Public Safety Department and the Salt Lake City FBI office posted two images of a “person of interest,” showing an individual wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt, a hat, and sunglasses. Later that evening, additional photos were released, depicting the person of interest on a staircase wearing a backpack.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that authorities had received over 7,000 leads and tips from the public as of Thursday evening, with nearly 200 interviews conducted by investigators. Two individuals were initially taken into custody but were later released as they were not linked to the shooting.
Search for the Suspect
Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said the suspect was a male who “blended in” with the college community and appeared to be “college-age.” He explained that investigators had tracked the shooter’s movements before and after the assassination. According to Mason, the gunman arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. local time on Wednesday and moved through stairwells to the roof of a building near where Kirk’s event was taking place.
The shooter then moved to the other side of the building after firing a single shot, jumped off, and fled into a neighborhood off campus. Investigators contacted homeowners with cameras and witnesses to gather leads.
In a news briefing, officials released security video showing a man running across the roof and climbing down the side of the building immediately after the shooting. Mason noted that the suspect left some palm impressions, smudges, and a shoe print indicating he was wearing Converse tennis shoes.
Weapon Recovered
FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Bohls stated that investigators recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle,” which they believe was used in the assassination. The weapon was found in a wooded area where the shooter fled and will be analyzed by the FBI. Additionally, investigators have collected a footwear impression, palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City field office has established a tip submission form where people can share information about the shooting. The agency is working alongside Utah state authorities, using full resources including tactical, operational, investigative, and intelligence teams.
Timeline of the Shooting
According to officials and video and audio sources reviewed by CBS News Confirmed, Kirk was shot roughly 31 minutes after the gunman arrived on campus. The shooter arrived at around 11:52 a.m., and the event was scheduled to begin at noon. Kirk was shot around 12:23 p.m., according to a review of livestream footage and video metadata.
An FBI video timestamped at 12:23 appears to show a person climbing off a roof at Utah Valley University and fleeing the scene. Dispatch audio described a person on the roof of a nearby building wearing black clothing and carrying a long rifle. Video captured at 2:37 p.m. shows officers searching an area around a quarter mile north of the campus.
A Targeted Attack
Kirk was struck in the neck by a single gunshot while addressing a large crowd at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate on Utah Valley University’s campus in Orem, Utah. The event is a trademark for Kirk’s Turning Point USA, where he held political debates with left-leaning attendees. About 3,000 people attended the outdoor event.
While authorities have not specified a motive, Mason said they believe it was a “targeted attack toward one individual.” Only one shot was fired, and Kirk was the only victim. Governor Cox called the shooting “a political assassination,” while President Trump blamed it on “radical left political violence.”
Shooting Location
A map produced by CBS News’ Confirmed team shows where Kirk was when he was shot—in the central courtyard of Utah Valley University, surrounded by campus buildings. A university spokeswoman believed the shot was fired from the Losee Center, while a law enforcement source suggested the gunman fired from the building’s roof. Video verified by CBS News shows a person running across the building’s roof in the moments after the shooting, about 400 feet from where Kirk was speaking. Authorities have not confirmed whether that person is connected to the attack. Drone video captured afterward shows police tape on the roof where the person was seen.
