LIVE UPDATES: Weapon Used in Charlie Kirk Shooting Found, Official Says

Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, has died after being shot Wednesday at an event at a Utah college.

Videos posted to social media show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone at the university’s Sorensen Center courtyard, sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”

A single shot rings out and Kirk reaches up with his hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasp and scream. Some run away.

Special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, Robert Bohls, said the authorities have recovered the murder weapon and have images of the shooter, but don’t plan to release them yet.

Bohls described the weapon as a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” that was “recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled.”

“We do have good video of this individual. We are not going to release that at this time,” Beau said. “We’re working through some technologies and some ways to identify this individual.”

The shooter “appears to be of college age” and “blended in” with students.

“If we are unsuccessful, we will reach out to you as the media, and we will push that publicly to help us identify them. But we are confident in our abilities right now.”

Responding to news of the shooting, Dowd, who was on air, blamed the act of violence on Kirk himself, saying it was the result of his “awful words” that represent his conservative views.

Shortly after, MSNBC issued a statement from its president, Rebecca Kutler, on its X public relations account apologizing for Dowd’s comments.

“I knew Charlie, and I admired his passion and commitment to debate. His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence,” Newsom said.

“I think many [members of Congress] are nervous, of course,” Johnson said. “They’re public figures. They’re exposed all the time, everywhere. We have great security measures for members of Congress, but there’s a desire on many people’s parts to have more.”

Johnson told CNN’s “The Source” that he is looking into the requests.

John Yep, president and CEO of Catholics for Catholics and a friend of Kirk’s, was the only other speaker at the vigil, which was also livestreamed. He shared how he sent Kirk a text after learning of his passing today.

“I want you to know we’re gonna honor your blood, your sacrifice, and your tears,” Yep said, summarizing his text. “Your little tiny kids are gonna know that when their dad was taken from this Earth, that we came here and prayed.”

In a statement, the Utah Department of Public Safety disclosed that two individuals, ​​George Zinn and Zachariah Qureshi, had been taken into custody and released Wednesday.

Zinn was charged by Utah Valley University police with obstruction of justice. Qureshi was “taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement.”

The president said he was “filled with grief and anger” at the attack.

“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, as well as those who go after our judges, law enforcement officials, and everyone else who brings order to our country,” Trump said.

The perpetrator, who fatally shot Kirk during a speaking event on Wednesday afternoon, remains at large. Two people of interest were questioned in relation to the assassination, but were later released.

The FBI has established a tip line requesting information on the shooting.

“Radical and political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives,” Trump said.

“Tonight, I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died: the values of free speech, citizenship, the rule of law and the patriotic devotion and love of God. Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.”

Bartholomew’s son was in line waiting to ask a question when the gunshot rang out. Chaos ensued and she couldn’t find him as people ducked for cover and started running. She later learned her son was unharmed.

“All of us, we were trying to grab the little kids and getting them as near to us as possible,” she said.

She said some students were visibly distraught while others laughed, and said she’s concerned that people are being taught to hate others who have viewpoints different from their own.

Rather than fall into a place of fear, Bartholomew said she hopes people will be inspired to pick up where Kirk left off and continue to push for civil engagement.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel wrote in a post on X.

Initially, an elderly man was detained in relation to the murder. However, he was also released by police following questioning.

The Salt Lake City branch of the FBI established a tip line seeking information about the shooting. Officials currently believe that only one person was involved in the assassination.

“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” an audience member asked.

Kirk responded, “Too many.”

The questioner followed up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”

“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk asked.

Then a single shot rang out.

During a Wednesday evening press conference, Utah Valley University Police Chief Jeff Long described the event location as “kind of a bowl area here on the central campus.”

The area’s layout meant that Kirk, who was sitting under a tent and taking questions from the audience when he was shot, was “kind of in a lower area surrounded by buildings,” Long said.

During the same press conference, Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said that authorities believe the bullet that killed Kirk was a “longer distance shot” which was “potentially [shot] from a roof.”

Long added that the campus police department “had some plain clothes police officers that were in the crowd as well.”

According to Long, security for the event was handled by a mixed team of campus police officers and Kirk’s own private security.

“We did have officers there. We had Charlie Kirk’s team. He has a security team that travels with him, and they were here with him when he was shot,” Long said.

“You think you have things covered, and these things, unfortunately, they happen. You try to get your bases covered. And unfortunately, today, we didn’t, and because of that, we had this tragic incident.”

The form says the FBI is “seeking information regarding the shooting at Utah Valley University that took place on September 10, 2025.”

Trump Jr. said Kirk “changed the direction of this nation” because “there is no question that Charlie’s work and his voice helped my father win the presidency.”

He said Kirk was civil and kind, and listened and responded with respect.

“All of us have got to work together and deescalate the heat and the rhetoric in this country,” she said. “And remember we’re Americans, and you can disagree in a way that doesn’t end in the horrible way today did.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) expressed condolences to Kirk’s family, adding, “What a nightmare this whole thing is.”

“It’s a very dark time with the political violence spiraling out of control and gun violence a threat to everybody,” Raskin continued.

“We just need every single person in this country to think about where we are and where we want to be,” he said. “I don’t care what his politics are. I care that he was an American.”

In his statement, Bush added: “Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.”

The former president closed the statement by asking God to bless Kirk and his family and “guide America toward civility.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) spoke on the Capitol steps, reflecting on his influence on her political journey. Luna said she was planning to go to medical school before Kirk recruited her to work as his national Hispanic outreach director. She attended events where Kirk debated students, like the one he hosted today.

The governor also said that a “person of interest” was in custody and being interviewed.

The available information on the suspect was taken from the campus’s security camera footage, which is closed circuit TV. Although the footage is still being analyzed, authorities said that the suspected shooter was dressed in all dark clothing, and the shot was potentially “a longer distance shot from a roof.”

Authorities said there was no information that led them to believe a second person was involved. The investigation is ongoing.

“This is a dark day for our state,” he said. “It’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination.”

Cox said the United States will soon be celebrating 250 years since the Declaration of Independence declared “that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.”

“The first one of those is life,” he added, “and today a life was taken.”

“When someone takes the life of a person because of their ideas or their ideals, then that very constitutional foundation is threatened,” Cox said.

“Now we have a person of interest in custody. The investigation is ongoing, but I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law.”

“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X at 6:21 p.m. ET. “Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi.

“Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era,” Kennedy wrote on social media. He called Kirk a “relentless and courageous crusader for free speech.”

Kennedy’s father, for whom he was named, was assassinated in 1968 as he sought the Democratic presidential nomination.

“It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback Tour’ Campus event at Utah Valley University,” the statement read.

“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” it added.

On the sidewalk, 14-year-old Samuel Monahan embraced his parents in prayer.

“This is what happens when we’re without God,” said Monahan.

The teenager said he admired Kirk for being a man of God who cared about people. The country is so polarized, he said, “but it didn’t have to be that way because we all bow our heads under one flag and under one God.”

Chaffetz was at the event where Kirk was shot.

“We’re better than this, but there’s somebody out there who is evil, absolute total, complete evil and they need to be taken down,” he said.

Young says police in Orem and at Utah Valley University are among many agencies involved in the investigation.

Kirk was killed by a gunshot wound to the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University during an outdoor event. President Donald Trump issued a statement announcing that Kirk had died.

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!” Trump wrote on social media.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance wrote in response to Trump’s statement.

“This is detestable, what’s happened,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), told reporters on Capitol Hill. “Political violence has become all too common in American society and this is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our civil society, our American way of life and it must stop.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X, “Praying for @charliekirk11,” referring to Kirk’s username. Kirk was an active user of social media and frequently used his X account to issue political statements.

“Rest in peace Charlie Kirk. The mark you have made on the world will forever be a blessing and memory. We pray for your eternal rest with our Lord. May God bless your family always and be with your children and wife Erika,” wrote Meghan McCain, a television host and the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

“I just got off the phone with President Trump,” Cox wrote on X. “Working with the FBI and Utah law enforcement, we will bring to justice the individual responsible for this tragedy.”

“Abby and I are heartbroken,” he added. “We are praying for Charlie’s wife, daughter, and son.”

—Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “Political violence must be always and totally rejected,” Buttigieg wrote on X. “Praying for him and all who may have been injured or impacted.”

—Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying. Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm. I’m sending my sympathies to his family and friends at this time.”

—Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: speaking at a news conference on Everglades restoration Wednesday, said Kirk was known for sparking political debate rather than advocating hate or violence. “The way to resolve political disputes is not through violence. The way to do that is to ask questions, debate,” he said.

—Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper: “Violence is unacceptable. I strongly condemn the attack on Charlie Kirk and political violence in all forms. I’m praying for his swift recovery.”

—New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani: “I’m horrified by the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a college event in Utah. Political violence has no place in our country.”

—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Praying for @charliekirk11″

“He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time,” said Aubrey Laitsch, a spokeswoman for Turning Point USA.

Kirk, 31, is the founder and president of the national student group.

Turning Point had said earlier Wednesday that Kirk was appearing at Utah Valley University, a public college located about 41 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, in the first stop of a new tour.

Representatives for the university did not pick up the phone or return messages.

Jason Chaffetz, a Republican who was at the event, said on Fox News that he heard a shot and saw it knock Kirk backwards. “It seemed like it was a close shot,” Chaffetz said.