'Multiple active crime scenes': Who killed Charlie Kirk? Police widen search for sniper

Who killed Charlie Kirk? The mystery remains unsolved as the killer is still at large nearly 18 hours after firing the single gunshot that killed the conservative activist while he was fielding questions about gun violence during a university event in Utah.

Police and federal agents are continuing an intense manhunt for the sniper, who authorities believe fired the fatal shot from a rooftop sniper's nest on campus.


"The suspect remains at large," Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said.

Security camera footage showed a person believed to be the assailant dressed in all-dark clothing, Mason told reporters.

According to Reuters, police said investigators were searching for clues at "multiple active crime scenes," identified based on where Kirk was shot and "locations where the suspect and the victim traveled."

Utah police initially detained two men shortly after the attack, but both were released after interrogation.

"There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals," police said in a statement, adding that the investigation and manhunt were ongoing.

Police noted that one of the two detainees was a political "gadfly," who has been charged with obstruction by university police.

Kirk was shot dead while speaking at a midday event attended by 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

The incident, captured in video clips, showed blood gushing from Kirk's neck immediately after the shot rang out, before he slumped back in his chair.

He was addressing students under a white tent bearing the slogan “The American Comeback.”

During the event, Kirk was asked:
"Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?"
Kirk replied, "Too many."

The same attendee followed up with, "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
Kirk responded, "Counting or not counting gang violence?"

Officials confirmed Kirk was the only person injured in the incident.

Video circulating on social media showed him carrying a microphone moments before the attack, then collapsing as blood poured from his neck.

He was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The university immediately went into lockdown as police searched the campus. Utah Valley University, the state’s largest public university with nearly 47,000 students, issued a “secure in place” order and shut down the campus for several hours.