What we learn about deadly taking pictures of conservative US activist

[ad_1] Watch: How the Charlie Kirk taking pictures unfolded

Charlie Kirk, an influential right-wing activist and a detailed ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot useless whereas talking at an occasion at a college in Utah.

Here's what we all know.

What occurred?

Kirk, 31, was talking at Utah Valley College in Orem on 10 September, 2025 as a part of his "American Comeback" tour.

He sat underneath a white gazebo to take questions from a crowd of about 3,000 within the college's "quad", an out of doors courtyard.

At about 12:20, he's requested by a member of the gang: "Have you learnt what number of transgender People have been mass shooters over the past 10 years?"

He replies: "Too many."

The questioner then states there had been 5 in 10 years and asks Kirk what number of mass shootings there had been in that point.

"Counting or not counting gang violence?" Kirk replies.

Then a single shot is heard, which is believed to have been fired from the roof of the Losee Middle, a constructing overlooking the quad.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/19ea/live/582c92d0-8f05-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="Aerial view of Utah Valley University campus showing several large, flat-roofed buildings arranged around open walkways and green spaces. In the bottom left of the image is a tiered outdoor seating area where Charlie Kirk was sat when he was shot. Toward the top right is the Losee Center, a large building with a visible rooftop where a person was seen. The two locations are approximately 130 meters (142 yards) apart. The campus layout includes interconnected paths between buildings and landscaped areas. Labels on the image mark the two key locations and the estimated distance between them." class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Kirk then slumps in his chair with a clearly seen wound to his neck. He's bleeding profusely as his workers get him off stage.

Footage reveals the second earlier than Charlie Kirk is shot

The crowds across the tent then start to flee, and screams might be heard.

College students flee moments after lethal taking pictures

What do we all know in regards to the suspect?

No-one has to date been caught.

On Thursday, the Salt Lake Metropolis workplace of the FBI launched two pictures of a "individual of curiosity" and requested for assist figuring out him.

At a press convention hours earlier, FBI particular agent Robert Bohls stated {that a} high-powered, bolt-action rifle had been present in a wooded space close to to the college.

An imported Mauser .30-06 bolt motion rifle, it was discovered wrapped in a towel.

A "footwear impression", a palm print and forearm imprints have been additionally found.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/03af/live/587c2480-8f28-11f0-8111-31005f7c48fd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="FBI Image shows a slim, white man wearing sunglasses, a dark baseball cap, and a dark sweater with a picture of an American flag on the front. " class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> FBI And picture launched by the FBI of a "individual of curiosity"

Beau Mason, Utah's public security commissioner, stated the gunman gave the impression to be of "school age", and had blended in effectively with different college students.

They stated "good video footage" confirmed a suspect leaping from a roof after the taking pictures and fleeing the campus.

This seems to be supported by movies launched within the public area.

BBC Confirm has examined one which is believed present a determine on the roof of a college constructing.

It's exhausting to find out what the darkish form pictured in it is perhaps. Nevertheless, the constructing might be recognized because the Losee Middle - roughly 130m (142 yards) from the place Kirk was sitting.

Watch: Video claims to point out somebody on roof at college the place Charlie Kirk was shot

Footage taken from an workplace behind Kirk's gazebo seems to point out somebody working throughout the roof of the Losee Middle after the taking pictures.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ed82/live/a5d89750-8f31-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Three photos show view from an office window out across a large crowd to flat-topped buildings in the background. Each photo highlights a figure on the rooftop with a white circle. The figure’s position moves slightly to the left across the rooftop each time" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Within the hours afterwards, witnesses described what that they had seen.

Witnesses describe scene earlier than and after Charlie Kirk shot

"I heard a loud shot, a loud bang after which I noticed his physique really - in gradual movement - sort of fall over," one witness stated.

"All of us dropped to the bottom, and I need to say we sat like that for about 30 to 45 seconds, after which everybody round us bought up and began working," stated Emma Pitts, a reporter from Deseret Information.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4ee0/live/b866d530-8f09-11f0-84c8-99de564f0440.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Map showing the location of Utah Valley University in Orem, close to Utah Lake and about 50km (30 miles) south of Salt Lake City in the state of Utah, United States" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Who was Charlie Kirk?

Kirk was one of the high-profile right-wing activists and media personalities within the US. He was a trusted ally of Trump, attended his inauguration and recurrently visited the White Home.

As an 18-year-old in 2012, he co-founded Turning Level USA (TPUSA), a pupil organisation that goals to unfold conservative beliefs at liberal-leaning US schools.

He grew to become identified for holding open-air debates on campuses throughout the nation, fielding fast questions in a signature "Show Me Flawed" type.

His social media feed and every day podcast supply a snapshot of what he typically debated - the problems ranged from gun rights and local weather change, to religion and household values.

Kirk had many critics who noticed him as a divisive determine that promoted controversial and, at occasions, conspiratorial beliefs such because the false declare that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.

However he additionally had his followers. They credit score him with taking part in a key position in convincing youthful voters to end up for Trump in final yr's election.

He was valued throughout the Trump administration for his eager understanding of the Maga motion.

What has the response been?

There was shock, grief and anger throughout the political spectrum.

"The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless. No-one understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the US of America higher than Charlie," Trump stated in an announcement on Fact Social.

"He was liked and admired by ALL, particularly me," the president added, ordering that every one flags be flown at half-mast throughout the nation.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4d3a/live/43a61690-8ead-11f0-810c-f7cf041ba2c2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Kirk pictured shaking hands with Trump in December at an event by TPUSA" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Getty Photos Kirk pictured with Trump in December at an occasion by TPUSA

Former US presidents have provided their condolences. Joe Biden stated there was "no place in our nation for this sort of violence", whereas Barack Obama referred to as the taking pictures a "despicable act".

However the demise has additionally laid naked the deep polarisations inside American politics.

From the Oval Workplace on Wednesday evening, native time, Trump stated "radical left political violence has harm too many harmless folks".

A few of his allies - together with Laura Loomer and Elon Musk - equally pinned blame on the left or the Democratic Get together, and referred to as for mass arrests.

Conservative commentators have additionally highlighted tasteless feedback by left-wing activists showing to have a good time or condone Kirk's demise.

This has spilled out in Congress, the place shouting broke out after a second of silence for Kirk. Republican consultant Anna Paulina Luna accused Democrats of spreading hateful rhetoric.

Nevertheless, the feedback from Trump and his allies have stirred controversy, with critics saying they neglect to acknowledge that the spate of violence is affecting left-leaning politicians too, and arguing they might heighten tensions additional.

Democrats and Republicans react to Charlie Kirk taking pictures

Is political violence within the US rising?

The US has skilled about 150 politically motivated assaults within the first six months of this yr.

That's almost twice as many as over the identical interval final yr, an skilled advised Reuters information company.

Mike Jensen - from the College of Maryland, which for greater than 50 years has tracked political violence in a database - stated the US is in a "a really, very harmful spot proper now".

"This might completely function a sort of flashpoint that conjures up extra of it."

Kirk's homicide is the newest in a string of high-profile assaults in opposition to political leaders within the US, together with two tried assassinations on Trump throughout his 2024 election marketing campaign.

The president suffered an ear harm in an tried assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, final July.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/b6bd/live/a1c9c870-8ec6-11f0-b4ef-33b7f4616b0f.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Gabrielle Giffords closes her eyes and rests her head against Nancy Pelosi's. Both are wearing white tops with silver jewellery, and Pelosi is wearing an orange scarf" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Getty Photos Gabrielle Giffords and Nancy Pelosi, each targets of political violence themselves, have condemned the assault

In June, Minnesota's high Democratic legislator and her husband have been murdered of their residence.

In 2022, the husband of then-Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi was bludgeoned with a hammer after a person broke into the couple's residence searching for the top-ranking Democrat with the intention of taking her hostage.

Former US consultant Gabby Giffords – who survived being shot within the head throughout a gathering with constituents in 2011 – additionally condemned the assault.

"Democratic societies will at all times have political disagreements, however we mustn't ever permit America to develop into a rustic that confronts these disagreements with violence."