SALT LAKE CITY — The manhunt continues in the shooting and killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk's death on Wednesday poses a lot of questions for followers of the shocking event in Utah, the nation and the world. Here is what we know so far and what we don't know.
What happened?
What happened to Charlie Kirk in Utah?
Kirk was killed by a lone bullet fired toward him that hit him in the neck. Taken by private vehicle by his security team to Timpanogos Hospital, Kirk died there from his injuries.
When and where did the shooting take place?
The shot rang out at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, where Kirk was kicking off his American Comeback Tour.
The campus was placed on lockdown as dozens of law enforcement agencies responded to assist in the investigation. In addition, the campus will be closed through Sunday, and all classes have been canceled for the week.
Who witnessed the incident?
An estimated 3,000 people attended Kirk's Wednesday event. Videos of the moments leading up to Kirk's death and the chaotic aftermath spread quickly across social media.
Was anyone else injured?
Kirk was the lone victim in the shooting.
Kirk shooter and investigation
Who was the shooter?
The identity of the gunman has not been confirmed. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Thursday the shooter "appears to be of college age" and "blended in well with the college institution." Photos from surveillance videos of a person of interest were released to the media Thursday.
Overnight, the Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI had retraced the shooter's movements onto UVU's campus, as well as where he fled after. The agencies also recovered what investigators believe is the murder weapon.
"It is a high-powered, bolt-action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled," FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake office Robert Bohls said.
Has a suspect been arrested or identified?
No, but investigators released photos from surveillance videos of a person of interest in the killing.
Police detained and questioned two people of interest on Wednesday. One man was arrested for investigation of obstruction of justice. A second man, who the FBI director originally said was the suspected gunman, was also released and investigators don't believe either was the gunman.
What do police say about a motive?
No information about a possible motive has been released.
What charges could be filed?
In a Wednesday press conference on UVU's campus, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called the shooting a "political assassination" and said the state still has the death penalty.
"I want to make it crystal clear right now, to whoever did this: We will find you. We will try you. And we will hold you accountable to the further extent of the law," the governor said, before adding: "And just want to remind people, we still have the death penalty in the state of Utah."
The Utah County Attorney's Office would ultimately decide what state charges would be filed. The current county attorney hasn't shied away from death penalty cases as his office is currently seeking the death penalty for a man charged with killing a Santaquin police sergeant last year.
Kirk shooting response
Has Kirk's family or organization released a statement?
Kirk left behind a wife and two children, according to CBS News.
Kirk's family has yet to release a statement, though his wife, Erika, did post a Bible verse to social media prior to Kirk's UVU event on Wednesday, according to ABC News.
Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, released a statement via X on Wednesday after his passing.
"May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie," the statement read in part. "We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers."
How are political leaders responding?
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk's death on his social media account.
"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," the president said. "He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
To honor Kirk, Trump ordered that flags be flown half-staff until sunset on Sunday. The president also said he plans to posthumously honor Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Sen. Mike Lee called Kirk "an American patriot" and an "inspiration to countless young people to stand up and defend the timeless truths that make our country great."
The rest of Utah's congressional delegation called the killing "devastating" and "heartbreaking."
Related:
Here's how leaders are responding to the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University
President Donald Trump ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Kirk's death.Kirk's background
Who was Kirk?
Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18 in 2012, according to the BBC.
Kirk had developed a large and loyal online following and was an ally of President Donald Trump. Many of Kirk's college Q&As, similar to what was supposed to transpire on Wednesday, went viral over the years.
Known as the "Trump whisperer," Kirk was "deeply involved in vetting top positions for the administration following the election and was in constant communication with top advisers and the president himself," ABC News reported.
Why was Kirk in Utah?
Kirk was kicking off his "Prove Me Wrong" college tour at UVU on Wednesday. He was due to return to Utah on Sept. 30 at Utah State University for another stop on his tour.
Before the tour stop on Wednesday, Kirk had talked with Sen. Mike Lee about his stop in Utah on his podcast. Kirk had said he was surprised by some of the criticism the colleges that were scheduled to host him had received.
Impact of Kirk's death
How are people reacting on social media?
Kirk supporters gave an outpouring of social posts remembering the conservative activist after news of his death spread Wednesday.
There should be a memorial for Charlie Kirk at every college campus pic.twitter.com/73ERe1geir
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) September 11, 2025
Instead of sharing the horrific, vile, & heart-stopping video of Charlie Kirk being shot, I urge you to share images of his beautiful family whose worst nightmare has come true.
— Debra Lea (@thedebralea) September 10, 2025
Every kid deserves a dad.
Every wife deserves a husband.
Every American needs Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/reD9HsD6qn
This is what Charlie Kirk was wearing today. This is what he fought for EVERY DAY. We will never forget pic.twitter.com/4C4xP7vgbl
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) September 10, 2025
What is being said about political event safety?
UVU Police Chief Jeff Long said six uniformed officers and several plainclothed officers were working the event in addition to Kirk's own security team that he travels with.
"We're devastated. We're a small police department. We have a very large campus. We have over 40,000 students," he said. "This is a police chief's nightmare. I'm very saddened for the Kirk family. You try to get your bases covered, and unfortunately, today we didn't."
The death of Kirk raised a lot of questions about what constitutes proper security measures for an event like Kirk's, the Deseret News reported.
Kirk event attendee Spencer Carpenter said he expected a lot more security precautions than there were at UVU's campus, according to the Deseret News. At the very least, he expected a metal detector and a bag check.
"The way I looked at it, anyone could bring a gun in there and nobody would have known," Carpenter said.
What happens next in the investigation?
Investigators announced Thursday that evidence such as a "footwear impression," a palm print and an "arm-wear impression" were collected for further analysis.
As of Thursday morning, investigators had received at least 130 tips after opening up a tip line.
There is a digital tip line for information regarding this shooting at fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting. Tipsters can also call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
