Witnesses were nearby when Charlie Kirk was shot at a college event, and two men have since been mistakenly arrested as the gunman remains unidentified.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck shortly after 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, while speaking during an event at Utah Valley University. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and taken into surgery in critical condition, but he later died from his injuries.
Kirk’s conservative organization, Turning Point USA, confirmed his death in a message to employees and supporters. “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,” a spokesperson shared.
The gunman, whose identity remains unknown, is believed to have fired a single shot from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away from where Kirk was seated under a pop-up tent. The university confirmed that the shot originated from a building across the quad. Police have not yet recovered the weapon.
The investigation has been complicated by two wrongful arrests. An older man was first detained on campus after he told police he had shot Kirk. Authorities later confirmed that he was not a suspect. A second man was taken into custody based on campus security footage, which showed someone in dark clothing.
On Wednesday evening, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the individual in custody had been released following an interrogation. He added that the investigation remained ongoing and that authorities would continue to share updates in the interest of transparency.
The mother of the second man mistakenly arrested told The New York Post that her son had been a loyal fan of Kirk and was attending the event as a student. “He’s super shaken,” she said. “He’s a great kid… I have a picture of him. He’s like 25 ft from Charlie on the other side that he was shot. He sent us a video. He was attending like any other college kid.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox referred to Kirk’s death as a political assassination and noted that the state of Utah still permits capital punishment.
The targeted shooting created panic across the campus. Students fled the scene, many seeking shelter in bathrooms and nearby buildings. “There were probably 100 people running into the knee-deep fountain,” shared 17-year-old Grace Dishman, who had barricaded herself in a bathroom along with others after witnessing the shooting.
“Everybody was calling their parents, but the phone lines were down,” she added. “People were crying. People were praying. I was like, ‘OK, we’re in here, we’re gonna be OK,’ but we had no idea what was going on.”
Although Grace did not agree with all of Kirk’s views, she acknowledged his efforts to educate the audience and encourage open dialogue. She noted that he aimed to present both sides of an issue and gave people the opportunity to express their beliefs.
Beck Dishman, 19, who attended the event with his sister, initially thought the gunshot was fireworks. He described Kirk as someone who engaged in discussions with others, regardless of differing views, and said his contributions to the community would not be forgotten.
Some attendees raised concerns about inadequate security at the event. University of Utah freshman Will Buckley noted that the gunshot was very quiet and pointed out the absence of bag checks and metal detectors. He also observed that the event was held in a busy area of the campus where many students typically gather.
Footage from the event shows the moment Kirk was hit, just after being asked a question related to transgender mass shooters. As the shot was fired, he visibly reacted before collapsing. Another video circulating online appears to show a person moving along the rooftop shortly after the gunfire, as those in the courtyard below rushed to find safety.
Charlie Kirk had been known for his outspoken conservative views and his efforts to mobilize young Republican voters through his organization, Turning Point USA. The group regularly held campus events to promote conservative values and encourage student engagement.
As of Thursday, September 11, authorities continue to search for the shooter in the Salt Lake City area.
