Utah police have shared a theory on how the suspect who assassinated Charlie Kirk managed to flee the scene after the attack at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder and political commentator, was shot and killed during a debate just 20 minutes into his speech. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he later succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
Authorities confirmed that two individuals were briefly questioned, but they were released after police found no evidence linking them to the shooting. As of now, the suspected assassin remains at large.
In an update issued on September 11, police offered a theory on how the shooter might have escaped the scene. They believe the assassin fired a single shot from a high-powered rifle, likely from a nearby rooftop, before jumping off and fleeing. Authorities later recovered the firearm in a wooded area near where the shooter is believed to have fled.
The suspect, described as appearing to be of “college age,” likely blended into the campus crowd after the attack, making it harder to track. Authorities from federal, state, and local levels are currently working across multiple active crime scenes to gather evidence and pursue leads.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox expressed his disbelief and sorrow during a press conference, calling the attack a “political assassination” and acknowledging the significant emotional toll it has taken on the state and nation.
“I want to be very clear, this is a political assassination,” Governor Cox said. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation.”
The suspected assassin of Charlie Kirk fled the scene (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner Beau Mason confirmed that they have good video footage of the suspect and are still analyzing the footage. He expressed his sympathy for Kirk’s family, saying, “I can only imagine what they’re going through. This is not Utah. This is not what we are known for.”
Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, was one of the first to confirm the news of Kirk’s death. He wrote on Truth Social, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”
Trump also expressed condolences to Kirk’s family, adding, “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!”
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Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
The FBI, alongside local law enforcement, is continuing its investigation and is urging anyone with information to come forward. If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence, Survivors Empowered offers support through their website.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/The Salt Lake Tribune
