Chaos Erupts After Charlie Kirk Shooting
Just hours after the shocking daylight sh**ting of Charlie Kirk, authorities have not identified a suspect. Two innocent men were briefly arrested, fueling confusion and fear. Traumatized students who stood mere feet from the a**ack are reliving the horrifying moments.
Charlie Kirk, 31, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck shortly after 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The attack occurred during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University. Despite emergency surgery, doctors could not save him.
Turning Point USA confirmed his death in a somber statement:
“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.”
Sh**ter Possibly on Rooftop
Authorities believe the gunman fired a single sh*t from a rooftop nearly 200 yards away. The bullet struck Kirk as he sat beneath a pop-up tent. As of Thursday, the w**pon remains missing, and the sh**ter is still at large.
Innocent Bystanders Wrongfully Arrested
In the chaos, police initially arrested two men. One, an older man with white hair, shouted, “I’d do it again!” while being taken away, but authorities later confirmed he had no involvement.
The second man matched witness descriptions of someone near the scene. He was taken into custody but released the same evening after FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed he was uninvolved. Patel assured the public the investigation remains active.
Chaos and confusion erupt after shots were fired during an appearance by Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Students Relive Terrifying Moments
Witnesses described the moment the bu**et str*ck. Teen siblings Beck, 19, and Grace Dishman, 17, thought the sound was fireworks at first. Once reality hit, they locked themselves in a bathroom. Students ran into fountains, dove for cover, and desperately tried to reach parents.
“Everybody was calling their parents, but the phone lines were down,” Grace recalled. “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.”
Despite differences in opinion, Grace noted that Kirk encouraged open debate and gave students a platform for all viewpoints.
Security Concerns Raised
In the aftermath, students criticized the lack of security. Will Buckley, a University of Utah freshman, said the g*nsh*t was quiet, and there were no metal detectors or bag checks. The public campus setting made the event an easy target. Authorities evacuated the campus to allow law enforcement to secure the area.
National Response and Condolences
President Donald Trump called the sh**ting a “heinous a**a**ination” and “a dark moment for America” in a post on the White House Instagram page. He praised Kirk as a patriot who “inspired millions” and labeled him a “martyr for truth and freedom.”
Trump offered condolences to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their two young children, urging prayers for the family. He vowed to pursue those responsible, stating:
“An a**a**in tried to silence him with a bu**et, but he failed, because together we will ensure that his voice, his message, and his legacy will live on for countless generations to come.”
Investigation Continues
As of Thursday, September 11, law enforcement continues to search the Salt Lake City area. The gunman remains at large, and the nation mourns while demanding answers.
