Authorities are continuing their search for an unidentified shooter in the death of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour on Wednesday afternoon.
Two people were detained Wednesday, but neither was determined to be connected to the shooting and both were released, Utah public safety officials said. Authorities did not immediately identify a motive.
FILE-Charlie Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, speaks before former President Donald Trump’s arrival during a Turning Point USA Believers Summit conference at the Palm Beach Convention Center on July 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by
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The AP reported that officers were seen looking at a photo on their phones and showing it to people to see if they recognized a person of interest. Authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing.
Authorities plan news conference on Kirk shooting updates
Dig deeper:
8:15 a.m. ET: The FBI will hold a news conference on the state of the manhunt at 9 a.m. ET. Federal, state and local authorities are still searching for an unidentified shooter and working what they called “multiple active crime scenes.”
Manhunt for Charlie Kirk murder suspect
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and supporter of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31. Authorities said the gunman, who remains at large, is believed to have fired a single shot from a nearby rooftop in what they described as a “targeted attack.” The Utah Department of Public Safety, working with the FBI, is leading the investigation and has launched a manhunt. Two individuals initially considered suspects were later released after questioning.
Law enforcement officials in Utah are holding a news conference Thursday morning to share updates in their investigation.
The Utah Department of Public Safety says its commissioner, as well as the FBI special agent in charge, will speak to reporters at 9 a.m. ET on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.
Trump blames ‘radical left’ rhetoric for Charlie Kirk’s assassination
8 a.m. ET: In a lengthy video statement released on social media late Thursday by the White House, President Donald Trump blamed rhetoric from the “radical left” for political commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination and said “demonizing” opponents “must stop now.”
Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation. The president, who sustained a minor ear injury when he was shot at a campaign event last year, said he and Kirk had a close relationship.
He described Kirk on Truth Social as a “great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Vance is expected to visit Salt Lake City to meet with Kirk’s family
7:55 a.m. ET: Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, are set to visit with Kirk’s family on Thursday in Salt Lake City.
According to a person familiar with Vance’s plans, but not authorized to speak about them publicly, the Vances will visit Utah instead of New York, which had been their planned destination for an outdoor ceremony to commemorate Sept. 11.
One gunshot fired from a roof
What we know:
Charlie Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University when authorities said the shooter fired from a roof.
Videos posted to social media show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent. A single shot rings out and Kirk reaches up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck.
Utah Valley is the state’s largest public university with an enrollment of 47,000. It’s about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of the state capital of Salt Lake City.
What we don’t know:
Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting.
Who was Charlie Kirk?
The backstory:
Kirk is the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA. Turning Point was founded in suburban Chicago in 2012 by Kirk, then 18, and William Montgomery, a tea party activist, to proselytize on college campuses for low taxes and limited government.
RELATED: Who is Charlie Kirk? Political activist killed at Utah Valley University, Trump confirms
Kirk has appeared alongside Trump on stage at political events, and is also a frequent commentator on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX Business News. He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Kirk played a major role in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. He was credited with turning out the younger vote for Trump.
