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Charlie Kirk: What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist Charlie Kirk: What we know about fatal shooting of conservative US activist
(about 3 hours later)
Students flee as Charlie Kirk is shot while speaking to a crowd of hundreds Watch: How the Charlie Kirk shooting unfolded
Charlie Kirk, an influential conservative activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead while speaking at an event at a university in Utah. 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.
There is still a lot that is unclear about the incident but here is what we do know. Here is what we know.
What happened?What happened?
Kirk, 31, who had been invited to speak at Utah Valley University (UVU), was seated under a white gazebo addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people in the quad, an outdoor bowl courtyard. Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September, 2025 as part of his "American Comeback" tour.
According to eyewitnesses and videos taken at the scene, Kirk had been responding to a question about gun violence. He sat under a white gazebo to take questions from a crowd of about 3,000 in the university's "quad", an outdoor courtyard.
"Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?" an audience member asked. 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?"
"Too many," replied Kirk. He replies: "Too many."
The questioner then said there had been five in 10 years and asked Kirk how many mass shooters there had been in that time. The questioner then states there had been five in 10 years and asks Kirk how many mass shootings there had been in that time.
"Counting or not counting gang violence?" was Kirk's reply. "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk replies.
Then a single shot rang out - it was about 12:20 local time. Then a single shot is heard, which is believed to have been fired from the roof of the Losee Center, a building overlooking the quad.
Footage shows the moment before Charlie Kirk is shot
Afterwards, Kirk can be seen recoiling in his chair, with blood visible on his neck, before the terrified crowd starts running.
Follow live updatesFollow live updates
Kirk then slumps in his chair with a clearly visible wound to his neck. He is bleeding profusely as his staff get him off stage.
Watch as students flee moments after deadly shooting Footage shows the moment before Charlie Kirk is shot
Law enforcement officials say the killer is believed to have fired the fatal shot from the roof of a building located near the courtyard where Kirk was speaking. The crowds around the tent then begin to flee, and screams can be heard.
Students flee moments after deadly shooting
They are going through CCTV footage, and believe the suspect was "dressed in dark clothing". What do we know about the suspect?
BBC Verify has been examining videos posted on social media, which people claim show a figure on the roof of a university building. No-one has so far been caught.
This footage was posted on X after the shooting, but we cannot verify when it was filmed. On Thursday, the Salt Lake City office of the FBI released two photographs of a "person of interest" and asked for help identifying him.
The poor quality of the video makes it hard to determine what the dark shape pictured in it might be. Based on the building's characteristics, the BBC was able to identify it as UVU's Losee Center - a campus spokesperson has said the shot came from there. 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.
The figure on the roof was approximately 130m (142 yards) away from where Kirk was sitting. A "footwear impression", a palm print and forearm imprints were also found.
And image released by the FBI of a "person of interest"
Beau Mason, Utah's public safety commissioner, said the gunman appeared to be of "college age", and had blended in well with other students.
They said "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 is believed show a figure on the roof of a university building.
It is hard to determine what the dark shape pictured in it might be. However, the building can be identified as the Losee Center - approximately 130m (142 yards) from where Kirk was sitting.
Watch: Video claims to show someone on roof at university where Charlie Kirk was shotWatch: Video claims to show someone on roof at university where Charlie Kirk was shot
And footage taken from an office behind the gazebo that Kirk was in appears to show someone running across the roof of the Losee Center after the shooting. Footage taken from an office behind Kirk's gazebo appears to show someone running across the roof of the Losee Center after the shooting.
Kirk was rushed to hospital in a private vehicle. In the hours afterwards, witnesses described what they had seen.
But hours later, Trump confirmed his death on a post on Truth Social.
Afterwards people in the crowd described what they had seen.
Witnesses describe scene before and after Charlie Kirk shotWitnesses describe scene before and after Charlie Kirk shot
"I heard a loud shot, a loud bang and then I saw his body actually - in slow motion - kind of fall over," one eyewitness said. "I heard a loud shot, a loud bang and then I saw his body actually - in slow motion - kind of fall over," one witness said.
"We all dropped to the ground, and I want to say we sat like that for about 30 to 45 seconds, and then everyone around us got up and started running," said Emma Pitts, a reporter from Deseret News."We all dropped to the ground, and I want to say we sat like that for about 30 to 45 seconds, and then everyone around us got up and started running," said Emma Pitts, a reporter from Deseret News.
A manhunt for the suspect
Authorities say this was an assassination - but we don't know yet who shot Kirk, or why.
Two people were arrested in the hours after the incident and later released. They have "no current ties" to the shooting, Utah officials have said.
"This shooting is still an active investigation," the Department of Public Safety, which covers law enforcement in the state, said in its latest update.
A massive manhunt is under way for the shooter. The campus has been locked down and heavily armed police are going door-to-door as part of the search, the BBC's Regan Morris reports from the campus.
Who was Charlie Kirk?Who was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk was one of the most high-profile conservative activists and media personalities in the US, and a trusted ally of President Trump. He was a guest at Trump's presidential inauguration and a regular visitor to the White House. Kirk was one of the most high-profile right-wing activists and media personalities in the US. He was a trusted ally of Trump, attended his inauguration and regularly visited the White House.
As an 18-year-old in 2012, he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a student organisation that aims to spread conservative ideals at liberal-leaning US colleges.As an 18-year-old in 2012, he co-founded Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a student organisation that aims to spread conservative ideals at liberal-leaning US colleges.
He became known for holding open-air debates on campuses across the country, fielding quick questions in a signature "change-my-mind"-style - just like he was doing on Wednesday when he was shot. He became known for holding open-air debates on campuses across the country, fielding quick questions in a signature "Prove Me Wrong" style.
His social media feed and daily podcast offer a snapshot of what he often debated - the issues ranged from gun rights and climate change, to faith and family values.His social media feed and daily podcast offer a snapshot of what he often debated - the issues ranged from gun rights and climate change, to faith and family values.
Charlie Kirk: Conservative influencer who rallied a youth movementCharlie Kirk: Conservative influencer who rallied a youth movement
Analysis: Killing of Trump ally lays bare America's bloody and broken politicsAnalysis: Killing of Trump ally lays bare America's bloody and broken politics
'Dark moment for America', says Trump after Kirk killing'Dark moment for America', says Trump after Kirk killing
Watch: Students flee as Kirk shot in front of crowd of hundredsWatch: Students flee as Kirk shot in front of crowd of hundreds
Kirk had many critics who saw him as a divisive figure that promoted controversial and, at times, conspiratorial beliefs such as the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.Kirk had many critics who saw him as a divisive figure that promoted controversial and, at times, conspiratorial beliefs such as the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.
But he also had his fans, for whom he was a champion of free speech. They credit him with playing a key role in convincing younger voters to turn out for Trump in last year's election. He was valued within the Trump administration for his keen understanding of the grassroots Maga (Make America Great Again) movement. But he also had his fans. They credit him with playing a key role in convincing younger voters to turn out for Trump in last year's election.
He was valued within the Trump administration for his keen understanding of the Maga movement.
What has the reaction been?What has the reaction been?
There has been shock, grief and anger across the political spectrum.There has been shock, grief and anger across the political spectrum.
"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," Trump said in a statement 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," Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me," the president added, ordering that all flags be flown at half-mast across the country."He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me," the president added, ordering that all flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
Kirk pictured with Trump in December at an event by TPUSAKirk pictured with Trump in December at an event by TPUSA
Former US presidents have offered their condolences. Joe Biden, Trump's predecessor, said there is "no place in our country for this kind of violence", while Barack Obama called the shooting a "despicable act", and said his family was praying for Kirk's loved ones. Former US presidents have offered their condolences. Joe Biden said there was "no place in our country for this kind of violence", while Barack Obama called the shooting a "despicable act".
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his sympathy and Italy's Prime Minister Girogia Meloni said the "atrocious murder" was "a deep wound for democracy". But the death has also laid bare the deep polarisations within American politics.
Argentinian President Javier Milei paid tribute to Kirk as "a formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West". Conservative commentators have highlighted tasteless comments by left-wing activists appearing to celebrate or condone Kirk's death.
But any sense of unity is quickly being overshadowed by deep political divisions. At the same time, some of Trump's allies - including Laura Loomer and Elon Musk - pinned blame on the left or the Democratic Party, and called for mass arrests.
Conservative commentators have surfaced tasteless comments by left-wing activists appearing to celebrate or condone Kirk's death. That has spilled out in Congress, where shouting broke out after a moment of silence for Kirk. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican and Trump ally, accused Democrats of spreading hateful rhetoric.
At the same time, some of Trump's key allies - including influencer Laura Loomer and Elon Musk - pinned blame on the left or the Democratic Party, and called for mass arrests and broad police crackdowns. Democrats and Republicans react to Charlie Kirk shooting
In his address, Trump said "radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people", and did not mention recent attacks motivated by far-right ideas.
The dispute spilled out in Congress, where shouting broke out after a moment of silence for Kirk.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican and Trump ally, accused Democratic colleagues of spreading hateful rhetoric before House Speaker Mike Johnson, also a Republican, angrily called for order.
Is political violence in the US increasing?Is political violence in the US increasing?
In the first six months of this year, the US has experienced about 150 politically-motivated attacks. The US has experienced about 150 politically motivated attacks in the first six months of this year.
That is nearly twice as many as over the same period last year, an expert told Reuters news agency.That is nearly twice as many as over the same period last year, an expert told Reuters news agency.
Mike Jensen - from the University of Maryland, which for more than 50 years has tracked political violence in a database - said the US is in a "a very, very dangerous spot right now".Mike Jensen - from the University of Maryland, which for more than 50 years has tracked political violence in a database - said the US is in a "a very, very dangerous spot right now".
"This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint that inspires more of it.""This could absolutely serve as a kind of flashpoint that inspires more of it."
Kirk's murder is the latest in a string of high-profile attacks against political leaders in the US, including two attempted assassinations on Trump during his 2024 election campaign.Kirk's murder is the latest in a string of high-profile attacks against political leaders in the US, including two attempted assassinations on Trump during his 2024 election campaign.
The president was injured in the ear after he was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July and authorities say they thwarted a second attempt on his life at his West Palm Beach golf course two months later. The president was suffered an ear injury in an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July.
Gabrielle Giffords and Nancy Pelosi, both targets of political violence themselves, have condemned the attackGabrielle Giffords and Nancy Pelosi, both targets of political violence themselves, have condemned the attack
In June, Minnesota's top Democratic legislator and her husband were murdered in their home.In June, Minnesota's top Democratic legislator and her husband were murdered in their home.
In April, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro's house was burned in an arson attack, while the Democrat and his family slept inside.
Other incidents this year include politically motivated fire attacks on Tesla dealerships and the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington.
In 2022, the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was bludgeoned with a hammer after a man broke into the couple's home looking for the top-ranking Democrat with the intention of taking her hostage.In 2022, the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was bludgeoned with a hammer after a man broke into the couple's home looking for the top-ranking Democrat with the intention of taking her hostage.
"The horrific shooting today at Utah Valley University is reprehensible," Pelosi said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Former US representative Gabby Giffords – who survived being shot in the head during a meeting with constituents in 2011 – also condemned the attack.Former US representative Gabby Giffords – who survived being shot in the head during a meeting with constituents in 2011 – also condemned the attack.
"Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence.""Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence."
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Kirk's wife and children were present at the event. In fact this is unclear.Correction: An earlier version of this story said Kirk's wife and children were present at the event. In fact this is unclear.