Investigation Underway as Charlie Kirk Shooting Shakes Utah Campus

Sat Oct 11 2025 23:15:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a tragic incident at Utah Valley University, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot during a public event. Authorities are actively seeking the suspect who remains at large.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, was shot dead during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The shooting occurred during a question-and-answer session. A high-powered rifle has been discovered by the FBI, and they have released images of a person of interest. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and discussions about rising political violence in the United States.

Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah.

Here is what we know.

What happened?

Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September, 2025 as part of his American Comeback tour. He sat under a white gazebo to take questions from a crowd of about 3,000 in the university's quad, an outdoor courtyard.

At about 12:20, he is asked by a member of the crowd: Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years? He replies: Too many. The questioner then states there had been five in 10 years and asks Kirk how many mass shootings there had been in that time. Kirk replies: Counting or not counting gang violence? Then a single shot is heard, believed to have been fired from the roof of the Losee Center, a building overlooking the quad.

Kirk slumps in his chair with a clearly visible wound to his neck, bleeding profusely as his staff get him off stage.

What do we know about the suspect?

No one has so far been caught. On Thursday, the Salt Lake City office of the FBI released two photographs of a person of interest and asked for help identifying him.

At a press conference hours earlier, FBI special agent Robert Bohls said that a high-powered, bolt-action rifle had been found in a wooded area near to the university. An imported Mauser .30-06 bolt action rifle was found wrapped in a towel.

A footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints were also discovered. Beau Mason, Utah's public safety commissioner, said the gunman appeared to be of college age, blending in with other students. They mentioned that good video footage showed a suspect jumping from a roof after the shooting and fleeing the campus.

This appears to be supported by videos released in the public domain. BBC Verify has examined one which shows a figure on the roof of a university building, identified as the Losee Center, approximately 130m (142 yards) from where Kirk was sitting.

Footage taken from an office behind Kirk's gazebo appears to show someone running across the roof after the shooting.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was one of the most high-profile right-wing activists and media personalities in the US. He co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA) in 2012, aimed at spreading conservative ideals at liberal-leaning US colleges.

Kirk gained visibility by hosting open-air debates across campuses and was known for addressing topics such as gun rights and family values.

What has the reaction been?

There has been shock, grief, and anger across the political spectrum. Trump stated on Truth Social, The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. Former US presidents have also expressed their condolences, dubbing the act as unacceptable violence.

The shooting highlights ongoing political divisions in the US, and many commentators have pointed out the unfortunate responses from some left-wing activists.

Is political violence in the US increasing?

The US has experienced about 150 politically motivated attacks in the first six months of this year, twice as many as over the same period last year, marking a concerning trend in political violence.