Updates on Charlie Kirk’s death investigation after the Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot at Utah Valley University during an event
The investigation into conservative pundit Charlie Kirk’s murder on September 10 is ongoing as the Utah Valley University community, and the entire country, continues to process the day’s tragic events.
Kirk, who was 31, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at the university. Video shared on social media showed a bullet appear to strike the Turning Point USA founder in the neck as he was answering a question from the crowd related to gun violence. The father-of-two was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died shortly after.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” read a statement from Turning Point, released on the evening of his death.
President Donald Trump also shared his condolences via TruthSocial while breaking the news to his followers.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump, 79, wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. 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!”
As authorities continue to update the public on the investigation, keep scrolling for everything we know so far about Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kirk was speaking at an event on his American Comeback Tour on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when a gunman fired a single shot that appeared to strike him in the neck as he sat under a tent emblazoned with the words, “Prove Me Wrong.”
The shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. local time on September 10 from approximately 200 yards away, and video shared on social media showed witnesses immediately rushing to his aid. He was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities took a man named George Zinn into custody in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Photos and video shared on social media of Zinn, 71, being restrained by police led many to believe he was the shooter.
However, police soon determined he was not involved in the shooting and he was being taken into custody on suspicion of obstruction of justice. He was later released.
FBI Director Kash Patel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox both said later in the day that another man was in custody, but two hours later, Patel, 45, said the subject was “released after an interrogation by law enforcement.”
Utah Department of Public Safety commissioner Beau Mason urged the public not to harass the two individuals who have been released.
“These individuals were not suspects. They were people of interest,” he said on September 11. “They don’t deserve that harassment.”
Within minutes of the shooting, Utah Valley cancelled classes for the rest of the day.
