Latest Updates On Search For Charlie Kirk’s Shooter

OREM, UT — The investigation into and manhunt for the shooter who killed conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in Utah continued into Wednesday night, authorities said.

The Utah Department of Public Safety clarified in a news release Wednesday night that two people taken into custody earlier in the day had no ties to the shooting, although one, George Zinn, was released but charged with obstruction. The second person was also released after interrogation.

A law enforcement official who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity said Wednesday night that authorities were seeking a new person of interest.

The FBI is asking the public to share their tips at fbi.gov/UtahValleyShooting.

The latest developments follow an afternoon and evening of evolving information about the status of the investigation.

FBI Director Kash Patel at one point on Wednesday posted on X that a person taken into custody was the shooter before walking back the statement less than two hours later.

"I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Wednesday in remarks that were posted in a video on Fox News. "... 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."

Cox also noted that Utah is a death penalty state.

Kirk, who was born in Arlington Heights and attended high school in Wheeling, was shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Video from the event shows Kirk falling from his chair as a shot was fired in his lower neck.

Utah authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away.

The incident occurred at 12:10 p.m. during a Q&A session. Videos circulating online appear to show Kirk recoiling after a shot was heard, with blood pouring from his neck. He is seen discussing gang violence and mass shootings just prior to the attack in the videos.

President Donald Trump, in a video Wednesday night on X, referred to the killing as a "heinous assassination" and Kirk as a "martyr for truth and freedom."

"It's long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year in the most hateful and despicable way possible," Trump said, before going on to blame the "radical left" for recent political violence.

READ MORE >>> 5 Things To Know About Charlie Kirk

Trump ordered all American flags throughout the United States lowered to half-mast through 6 p.m. Sunday in honor of "a truly Great American Patriot," according to a social media post.

A university spokeswoman, Ellen Treanor, told The New York Times that Kirk was struck about 20 minutes after he began speaking on campus. She said a suspect had fired at Kirk from the Losee Center, a building about 200 yards away.

Wednesday's appearance at Utah Valley University marked the kickoff of Kirk's latest national college tour, titled "The American Comeback Tour."

Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and two young children.

The university announced following the shooting that the campus was closed. University officials asked that students "leave campus immediately." Campus will be closed until Monday amid the ongoing investigation.

Turning Point was founded in suburban Chicago in 2012 by Kirk, then 18, and William Montgomery, a Tea Party activist, to proselytize on college campuses for low taxes and limited government.

Gov. JB Pritzker called the attack "horrifying" and added, "political violence has no place in this country."

"Charlie Kirk grew up in my district and I am sad to hear that he has been shot," state Sen. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, said. "Charlie has been fighting for his vision for a better America for years, and is living his dream as a political influencer. This should not happen in our country."

The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum, the Associated Press reported. Recent attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish, in April. Trump himself was shot during a campaign rally last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.