Law enforcement agencies are searching for the person responsible for the fatal shooting of conservative leader Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday at the age of 31 while leading a college event for Turning Point USA, the organization he helped establish.
His wife and family were present at the time but were unharmed, and no additional injuries have been reported.
Investigators believe the shot was fired from a nearby rooftop.
Two people were briefly detained in connection with the incident but were later released after authorities determined they had no ties to the shooting.
Police say they currently have no confirmed leads on the gunman and do not believe the suspect remains on campus. The FBI and local law enforcement continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA at 18, became a prominent figure in US politics and has maintained close connections with political figures, such as US President Donald Trump. He is known as the young face of the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement and has frequently spoken at events and conferences across the country.
During the time of his shooting, he was specifically talking about mass shootings and the culprits behind them. A popular conservative talking point, he unfoundedly claimed that “too many” mass shooters are transgender, later talking about the rise of gang violence.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as a “political assassination” and noted the potential risks of violence targeting public figures.
The FBI initially reported that a suspect had been detained but later retracted the statement, adding uncertainty to the investigation.
Trump released a video statement expressing grief and describing the incident as a “dark moment for America.”
Authorities continue to appeal for information from the public to help locate the shooter. Security measures at universities nationwide have been reviewed in response to the incident.
Officials have cautioned that the investigation may take several days or longer, as they work to identify and apprehend the person responsible.
