Details of the Shooting: The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. local time during a Turning Point USA event, part of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk was engaged in a Q&A session, responding to a question about mass shootings, when a single shot was fired from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away, striking him in the neck. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Kirk collapse with significant blood loss, and he was rushed to a hospital but later died from his injuries. The event, attended by around 3,000 people, descended into chaos as attendees fled for safety.

As of September 11, 2025, the shooter has not been identified or apprehended. Authorities have provided limited details to avoid compromising the investigation but have shared the following:

• Appearance and Behavior: The suspect was described as wearing all-dark clothing and is believed to be college-aged, blending in with the campus environment. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason noted that the individual “blended in well with the college institution.”

• Location of the Attack: The shot was fired from the roof of the Losee Center, a building approximately 130–200 meters from the event’s courtyard. Security footage captured a figure on the roof, possibly lying down before fleeing after the shot.

• Skill Level: The use of a high-powered, bolt-action rifle and the precision of the single shot suggest the shooter was experienced and not an amateur. CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller stated, “This is someone who knew exactly what they were doing.”

Two individuals were briefly detained but released after being cleared of involvement. One, George Zinn, was charged with obstruction of justice but had no ties to the shooting. The second, Zachariah Qureshi, was interrogated and released without charges.

The FBI, Utah Department of Public Safety, UVU Police, and other agencies are conducting a thorough investigation. Key developments include:

• Evidence Recovered: Authorities recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle in a wooded area near the campus, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. Additional forensic evidence, including a footwear impression and a forearm imprint, is being analyzed.

• Security Footage: Investigators have access to CCTV footage showing the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting. While the footage is grainy, it has helped track the shooter’s escape route into a nearby neighborhood.

• Public Assistance: The FBI has established a digital tip line and received over 130 tips from the public. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls emphasized that they are “exhausting every resource” to identify the suspect.

Utah Valley University remains closed until Monday, with classes and events suspended. Law enforcement is conducting door-to-door searches in the surrounding area, and no ongoing threat to the community is believed to exist, suggesting the attack was targeted.

The shooting has sparked widespread condemnation and grief. President Donald Trump called Kirk’s death a “dark moment for America,” blaming “radical left” rhetoric, though no motive has been confirmed. Former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, along with other leaders, denounced the attack as an act of political violence. Utah Governor Spencer Cox vowed that the shooter would face justice, noting Utah’s death penalty as a potential consequence.

Social media platforms, including X, have seen an outpouring of reactions, with some posts expressing anger and others urging prayer for Kirk’s family. However, misinformation has also spread, with one individual, Michael Mallinson, falsely identified as the shooter due to a resemblance to a detained person.