Charlie Kirk assassination: Killer on the run, Trump vows justice- Top developments

Charlie Kirk assassination: Killer on the run, Trump vows justice- Top developments

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities have launched a manhunt for a suspected lone sniper, with Utah's governor calling the incident a “political assassination.”

Investigation Ongoing; Suspect remains at large
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason confirmed at a press conference that no suspect had been apprehended as of Wednesday night, eight hours after the shooting.

Two men were detained earlier in the investigation but were released after being cleared of involvement, according to a state police statement. Authorities have not confirmed a motive.

Trump Vows Justice
In a video statement from the Oval Office posted on Truth Social, Trump condemned the killing and pledged swift justice.

“My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, including the organizations that fund and support it," he said.

Trump also criticized inflammatory political rhetoric, blaming the "radical left" for fostering a climate of hatred toward conservatives.

“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers,” he said. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism we’re seeing today, and it must stop.”

Violence shocks Washington
News of the assassination stunned lawmakers in Washington. An attempted moment of silence in the U.S. House quickly devolved into partisan shouting.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the violence. “Political violence of any kind and against any individual is unacceptable and completely incompatible with American values," he said.

UVU closed until Monday

Utah Valley University will remain closed until Monday following the on-campus shooting of Kirk.

“All classes (in-person or virtual), campus events, and administrative operations will be suspended during this time,” the school said on its website.

The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. local time during an outdoor event attended by roughly 3,000 people. Kirk, 31, was responding to a question about gun violence when a single gunshot rang out. Cellphone video shows Kirk clutching his neck and collapsing, as blood poured from the wound and the crowd scattered in panic.

Officials believe the shot was fired from a rooftop sniper’s position on campus. The shooter remains at large.

Kirk's assassination is the latest in a disturbing pattern of political violence in the U.S. Just last year, Trump survived two assassination attempts.

In July 2024, he was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Pennsylvania, and in September, a second attempt was foiled.