Who is Charlie Kirk shooter? Viral video shows elderly man being detained by police

Right-wing activist and Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck Wednesday afternoon as he was speaking at a Utah university. A suspect was detained by the police but later released. Police have not released any information about the shooter but it was initially confirmed that the man was in custody. But contradictory reported started coming in even after an hour of the attack as CNN quoted the university claiming that the suspect was not yet in custody. Some eyewitnesses even claimed on television that probably police detained teh wrong guy.

“We can confirm that Mr Kirk was shot, but we don’t know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating Campus is closed for the rest of the day,” UVU spokesperson Scott Trotter said in a statement, as cited by CNN.


The university said the shot was fired at from a building about 200 yards from the tent where he was speaking.

Chilling footage from the event shows how Charlie Kirk was asked a question about violence the moment the bullet hit his neck, he jerked back and blood started coming out. He had been delivering remarks while sitting under a tent with the slogan “The American Comeback” printed on it.

MSNBC under fire for claiming Charlie Kirk shooter might have been celebrating

MSNBC came under fire for speculating that the shooter might have been a supporter who shot his gun off in celebration. The speculation was made when the shooting just happened and there was limited information about exactly what happened.

A single shot was fired, confirms university

The Utah Valley University where Charlie Kirk was addressing, confirmed that a single shot was fired, aiming Kirk.

“We are confirming that he was shot and we are praying for Charlie,” said Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA.

Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. The event had been met with divided opinions on campus. An online petition calling for university administrators to bar Kirk from appearing received nearly 1,000 signatures. The university issued a statement last week citing First Amendment rights and affirming its “commitment to free speech, intellectual inquiry, and constructive dialogue.”

The Republican and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill condemned political violence Wednesday and called for prayers following reports that conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been shot. “There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk,” Senate Republican Leader John Thune said. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries similarly wrote that “political violence is NEVER acceptable,” adding: “My thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Kirk and his family.” House Speaker Mike Johnson asked followers in a post on X, “Please join us in praying for our good friend, Charlie Kirk.”