Charlie Kirk shooter still at large as FBI releases two suspects after ‘political assassination’
Charlie Kirk’s killer is still at large as a desperate manhunt into the shooter remains ongoing.
Mr Kirk was shot in the neck on Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
The co-founder and president of the conservative student group Turning Point USA was pronounced dead at a local hospital hours later.
Utah’s Governor warned Mr Kirk’s killing was a “political assassination” while President Donald Trump vowed that his administration would track down those responsible for the killing.
The 31-year-old commentator and an influential ally of Donald Trump, is credited with helping to build the Republican President’s base among younger voters.
Some footage has emerged appearing to show a dark shape on a rooftop opposite the stage on which Mr Kirk was speaking, sparking intense speculation online.
No official body has yet commented on the video clips.
FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…
Boris Johnson pays tribute to Charlie Kirk – ‘He had the courage to stand up publicly’
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, saying the world has a “shiny new martyr to free speech”.
He wrote on social media: “The murder of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy, and a sign of the utter desperation and cowardice of those who could not defeat him in argument.
“Charlie Kirk has been killed not for espousing extremist views – because he didn’t. He has been killed for saying things that used to be simple common sense.
“He has been killed because he had the courage to stand up publicly for reasonable opinions held by millions and millions of ordinary people both in the US and Britain.
“The world has a shining new martyr to free speech. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
WATCH: Dover MP Mike Tapp reacts to shooting of Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk was talking about ‘mass shooters’ at the moment he was shot
Mr Kirk, who was married and the father of two young children, had just returned to the United States from an overseas speaking tour in South Korea and Japan.
His appearance on Wednesday was the first in a planned 15-event “American Comeback Tour” of US college campuses.
Mr Kirk was known for his Conservative views where he would invite members of the crowd to debate him live.
At the moment he was shot, Mr Kirk, a staunch advocate of the Constitution’s Second Amendment right to bear arms, was being questioned by an audience member about gun violence.
Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz who was in attendance at the rally, spoke about the moment Mr Kirk was shot.
He told Fox News: “The first question was about religion. He went on for about 15-20 minutes. Second question, interestingly, was about transgender shooters, mass shooters, and in the midst of that, the shot rang out.
“As soon as that shot went out, he fell back. Everybody hit the deck…a lot of people started screaming, and then everybody started running.”
WATCH: Ben Leo praises Charlie Kirk’s legacy after heartfelt tribute descends into ‘boos and shouting’
GB News host Ben Leo shared his profound sorrow following the killing of American conservative figure Charlie Kirk, stating that the situation is “desperately sad” for Mr Kirk’s young family.
The fatal shooting happened on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University, where Mr Kirk was addressing students during the opening event of an autumn campus tour.
“I just feel desperately sad for his two young children,” Ben said, recalling a social media post from July 27 where Mr Kirk appeared on American breakfast television with his young daughter perched on his lap.
Manhunt remains ongoing for suspect in shooting
Police and federal agents mounted an intense manhunt on Thursday for the sniper believed to have fired the single gunshot that killed Mr Kirk as he was fielding questions about gun violence.
The lone perpetrator suspected of firing the single gunshot that struck Kirk in the neck, apparently from a rooftop sniper’s nest on campus, remained “at large,” said Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, at a news conference four hours later.
Security camera footage showed a person believed to be the assailant dressed in all-dark clothing, Mason told reporters. But some eight hours after the killing, authorities said they still had no suspect in custody.
State police issued a statement on Wednesday night saying that two men had been detained, and one was interrogated by law enforcement, but both were released.
Charlie Kirk’s murderer wanted no debate, only death. This is an attack on democracy, writes Steven Edginton
Charlie Kirk speaking at a Utah Valley University, moments before he was shot
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REUTERS
GB News’ US correspondent Steven Edginton has said Charlie Kirk was “one of America’s most influential young men” as he paid tribute to the Turning Point USA co-founder.
In an exclusive analysis for GB News members, he wrote: “Always one to relish a debate, he spent more than a decade touring college campuses challenging anyone to challenge him.
“He was murdered doing what he loved most; being in the thick of a crowd of students debating and discussing politics.”
Turning Point UK slams Keir Starmer – ‘Shame on you!’
The British arm of Turning Point, the campaign group set up by Mr Kirk, has slammed Keir Starmer and David Lammy over previous comments about the organisation.
A spokesman for Turning Point UK said in a post responding to Keir Starmer: “Your Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, described us and Charlie as ‘sinister forces’ and ‘xenophobic.’
“Other Labour MPs have protested with violent far-left activists who attacked us.
“The language your party and the wider left uses to describe people like Charlie and us is the reason why we face this violence. Shame on you.”
WATCH: Clare Muldoon challenges Utah University, which she says kept changing their perspective on ‘constructive dialogue’
British politicians offer condolences to Charlie Kirk as Keir Starmer describes incident has ‘heartbreaking’
Politicians in the UK have offered their condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband.
“We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear – there can be no justification for political violence.”
Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch said: “The killing of Charlie Kirk is a blow to everything Western civilization stands for: open discourse, robust debate and peaceful dissent.
“He lived his life by those very principles, no matter the danger it put him in. This may have happened far from our shores, but the rising intolerance of opposing views affects us all.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to it. My thoughts are with Charlie’s family, his wife Erika, and their children.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Absolutely horrifying news of Charlie Kirk’s murder. Political violence should have no place in society. My prayers are with his family, I can’t imagine the pain they must be going through.”
Green Party Deputy Leader Mothin Ali said: “I have no love for Charlie Kirk or the politics he represents, but shooting your political enemies is not the solution.
“Debate, fight the ideas, win the argument. Resorting to violence, intimidation, murder is the behaviour of a coward. Condolences to his wife and children.”
Suspect in Charlie Kirk shooting remains at large
A memorial at the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona
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REUTERS
Authorities in the US still have no suspect in captivity in relation to the shooting of Charlie Kirk.
“This shooting is still an active investigation,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement, adding it was working with the FBI, the Utah County Attorney’s office, the Utah County Sheriff’s office and local police departments.
After two suspects were taken in and released, “there is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter”, the statement said.
Democrats react to the shooting of Charlie Kirk as attack condemned as ‘disgusting, vile, and reprehensible’
Leading Democrats have paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, with the attack on the activist condemned as “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Former President Joe Biden said: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”
Veteran socialist Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders said: “Political violence has no place in this country. We must condemn this horrifying attack. My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family.”
Former Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris added: “I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
Democratic nominee for Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani added: “I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who interviewed Mr Kirk for his podcast earlier this year, said: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
WATCH: Ben Leo provides update into the shooting of Charlie Kirk as he pays tribute to conservative activist
RECAP: Co-founder of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk shot dead in Utah
Good morning. If you’re just waking up in the UK, here’s a recap of everything we know about the shooting of Conservative campaigner Charlie Kirk.
Mr Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, apparently from a distant rooftop sniper’s nest on campus.
Footage posted on social media showed the 31-year-old moving his hand toward his neck as he fell off his chair.
Emma Pitts, a reporter who witnessed the event, told NPR: “I just saw so much blood come out of the left side of Charlie’s neck, and then he went limp.”
Utah State police issued a statement saying that two men had been detained and one was interrogated by law enforcement, but both were subsequently released.
The statement read: “There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals…There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter.”
Tributes poured in for the activist, with President Donald Trump saying: “My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it.”
President Trump ordered all American flags across the US to be flown at half mast.
Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox told a press conference: “This is a dark day for our state, it’s a tragic day for our nation…I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”
Two ‘suspects’ in Charlie Kirk shooting CLEARED as police, FBI scramble for answers
Two men whom police had named as suspects in the Charlie Kirk case have been cleared of involvement in his shooting.
One of the men was charged with obstructing police, a joint statement from the FBI and Utah Public Safety Department said.
JD Vance and Melania Trump issue emotional tributes to Charlie Kirk
US Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to ‘true friend’ Charlie Kirk
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GETTY
US Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump have both issued emotional tributes to Charlie Kirk.
“You ran a good race, my friend,” Mr Vance wrote at the end of a lengthy social media post. “We’ve got it from here.”
Elsewhere, the VP said: “Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him.
“I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other’s chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones.
“We talk about politics and policy and sports and life. These group chats include people at the very highest level of our Government. They trusted him, loved him, and knew he’d always have their backs.”
Mrs Trump said earlier: “Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed.
“Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country.”
Tributes pour in from east Asia – where Charlie Kirk visited in his final weeks
Just weeks ago, Charlie Kirk travelled to Tokyo where he spoke at a symposium hosted by the country’s right-wing Sanseito party, which made its political breakthrough in a July upper house vote after warning Japan of a “silent invasion” of migrants.
“I’m excited… to learn and to hopefully invigorate the people of your great nation to keep fighting this globalist menace,” Kirk said in an interview with a Sanseito politician before the symposium.
Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya said he was “stunned and heartbroken” at the news of Kirk’s death, calling him a “comrade committed to building the future with us”.
“We had promised to meet again at his year-end event and had begun to imagine the work we would take on together,” Kamiya said.
Speaking just this week on his podcast, Kirk said: “The same things we have been fighting for here – whether it be lawfare in South Korea or mass migration in Japan – this is a worldwide phenomenon.”
PICTURED: Mourners hold a sunset vigil for Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona
PICTURED: Mourners hold a sunset vigil for Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona
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REUTERS
Ron DeSantis: ‘We need justice… We need the death penalty’
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called for a ‘very quick death penalty prosecution’
| Reuters
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said he was “very angry with what happened today” as he demanded the death penalty for whoever shot Charlie Kirk.
“Obviously they gotta catch this guy,” DeSantis fumed. “We need a very quick death penalty prosecution.
“I don’t wanna see this take forever and a day. We need justice for this.”
MSNBC fires commentator over ‘unnaceptable’ remarks about Charlie Kirk – before he denies blaming slain activist for shooting
Political commentator Matthew Dowd has been sacked from his role with US broadcaster MSNBC over comments he made about Charlie Kirk.
Rebecca Kutler, the network’s president, said Mr Dowd “made comments that were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable”.
He had been “on-air” during MSNBC’s coverage of the shooting when he was asked by host Katy Tur to comment on “the environment in which a shooting like this happens”.
He said: “We don’t know any of the details of this yet, we don’t know if this was a supporter shooting their guns off in celebration.”
Mr Dowd then described Mr Kirk as “one of the most divisive younger figures” who was “constantly sort of pushing this hate speech… aimed at certain groups”.
“I always go back to hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions,” Mr Dowd said. “You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place – and that’s the unfortunate environment we’re in.”
The sacked commentator then apologised for his “tone and words”, saying: “I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack.
“Let us all come together and condemn violence of any kind.”
10 hours pass since Charlie Kirk’s shooting – as search STILL rumbles on
Ten hours have now passed since Charlie Kirk was shot.
At around 12.20pm MDT (7.20pm BST), Mr Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking on-stage at Utah Valley University.
Despite extensive searches and updates from local officials and the FBI, no suspect has been found.
Utah law enforcement issues update on shooter manhunt – as FBI opens up special ‘tip line’
Law enforcement in Utah have issued an update on their manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer.
Authorities said the pair who were arrested then released in relation to the shooting have “no current ties” to the incident.
“This shooting is still an active investigation,” Utah’s Department of Public Safety said.
It added that the shooting was a “targeted attack,” the department says, with the suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot from the roof of a building to the courtyard in which Kirk was addressing crowds.
Meanwhile, the FBI has opened a “digital media tip line” in a bid to find information about the shooting.
Charlie Kirk’s last message to his followers: A call for change – and fury at ‘savage monster’ who killed Ukrainian Iryna Zarutzka
Charlie Kirk’s final message to his followers on social media was a call for change following the death of Iryna Zarutzka, the Ukrainian refugee stabbed to death on a train in August.
“If we want things to change, it’s 100 per cent necessary to politicize the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska because it was politics that allowed a savage monster with 14 priors to be free on the streets to kill her,” he wrote.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has now unleashed a federal prosecution against Brown Jr.
The alleged killer, 34 and homeless, has a history of mental health problems, arrests and convictions. He had already been charged with first-degree murder in North Carolina.
Republican Congresspeople from North Carolina have now demanded the removal of a state judge who released Brown Jr.
READ THE FULL STORY ON THE FALLOUT OVER IRYNA ZARUTZKA’S DEATH HERE
Police begin door-to-door searches as killer STILL not found
The Utah Valley University campus itself is locked down, with heavily-armed officers roaming the area
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REUTERS
Police are going door-to-door in the area around the Utah Valley University campus in a bid to find Mr Kirk’s killer, the BBC reports.
The campus itself is locked down, with heavily-armed officers roaming the area.
Police have barred anyone from entering the university itself.
Key details on Charlie Kirk shooting suspects as clock ticks in major manhunt
The clock is ticking on a major manhunt for the shooter who killed Charlie Kirk.
A man who was taken into custody in the immediate aftermath of Mr Kirk’s death, 71-year-old George Zinn, was not the shooter, authorities revealed.
Another man who was taken into custody and questioned by police has now also been released.
Following Kash Patel’s words earlier, the FBI is now working with local police to track down the killer – with Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowing the murderer may face the death penalty.
WATCH IN FULL: Donald Trump addresses America after Charlie Kirk’s ‘assassination’
Utah Valley University SHUTS until Monday after Charlie Kirk assassination
Utah Valley University has said its campus will be shut down until Monday September 14 in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing.
“UVU campuses will be closed from September 11-14,” a statement says. “All classes (in-person or virtual), campus events, and administrative operations will be suspended during this time. Please plan accordingly and make any necessary adjustments to your schedules.”
PICTURED: Mourners gather across the US
PICTURED: Mourners bring flowers to a memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in Utah, outside Turning Point in Phoenix, Arizona
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REUTERS
Charlie Kirk compared to JFK as tributes pour in from across America
Tributes have poured in across America and beyond for Donald Trump ally and conservative activist Charlie Kirk after he was shot dead during an event at Utah Valley University.
US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy has compared Mr Kirk to his uncle, John F Kennedy, writing: “Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era.
“My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country’s relentless and courageous crusader for free speech. We pray for [his wife] Erika and the children.
“Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country.”
WATCH: Charlie Kirk’s full GB News interview
RECAP: Charlie Kirk pronounced dead after being shot in the neck during university campus speech
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk died late on Wednesday evening after being shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University.
Mr Kirk, 31, was shot as he started to conduct a Q&A session with students – with highly graphic footage circulating online.
“A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker,” the university said.
Mere minutes before the attack, Mr Kirk, a close Trump ally, had written on social media: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.”
But the President himself was later forced to confirm the 31-year-old had died.
“The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead”, Mr Trump wrote on social media.
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