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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 1 hour later) | |
| Watch: How the Charlie Kirk shooting unfolded | Watch: How the Charlie Kirk shooting unfolded |
| 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. | 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. | Here is what we know. |
| What happened? | What happened? |
| Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on 10 September, 2025 as part of his "American Comeback" tour. | 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. | 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?" | 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." | 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. | 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?" Kirk replies. | "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk replies. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Follow live updates | Follow 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. | 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. |
| Footage shows the moment before Charlie Kirk is shot | Footage shows the moment before Charlie Kirk is shot |
| The crowds around the tent then begin to flee, and screams can be heard. | The crowds around the tent then begin to flee, and screams can be heard. |
| Students flee moments after deadly shooting | Students flee moments after deadly shooting |
| What do we know about the suspect? | What do we know about the suspect? |
| No-one has so far been caught. | 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. | 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. | 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, it was found wrapped in a towel. | An imported Mauser .30-06 bolt action rifle, it was found wrapped in a towel. |
| A "footwear impression", a palm print and forearm imprints were also discovered. | A "footwear impression", a palm print and forearm imprints were also discovered. |
| And image released by the FBI of a "person of interest" | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 shot | Watch: Video claims to show someone on roof at university where Charlie Kirk was shot |
| Footage taken from an office behind Kirk's gazebo 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. |
| In the hours afterwards, witnesses described what they had seen. | In the hours afterwards, witnesses described what they had seen. |
| Witnesses describe scene before and after Charlie Kirk shot | Witnesses 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 witness 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. |
| Who was Charlie Kirk? | Who was Charlie Kirk? |
| 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. | 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 "Prove Me Wrong" style. | 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 movement | Charlie Kirk: Conservative influencer who rallied a youth movement |
| Analysis: Killing of Trump ally lays bare America's bloody and broken politics | Analysis: 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 hundreds | Watch: 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. They credit him with playing a key role in convincing younger voters to turn out for Trump in last year's election. | 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. | 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 TPUSA | Kirk pictured with Trump in December at an event by TPUSA |
| 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". | 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". |
| But the death has also laid bare the deep polarisations within American politics. | But the death has also laid bare the deep polarisations within American politics. |
| Conservative commentators have highlighted tasteless comments by left-wing activists appearing to celebrate or condone Kirk's death. | Conservative commentators have highlighted tasteless comments by left-wing activists appearing to celebrate or condone Kirk's death. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Democrats and Republicans react to Charlie Kirk shooting | Democrats and Republicans react to Charlie Kirk shooting |
| Is political violence in the US increasing? | Is political violence in the US increasing? |
| The US has experienced about 150 politically motivated attacks in the first six months of this year. | 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 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 attack | Gabrielle 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 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. |
| 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. |