FBI, Utah Officials Provide Update on Kirk Murder

by Sharon Rondeau

(Sep. 11, 2025) — Amid 9/11 remembrance services in New York City, at the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA, at 9:15 a.m. EDT/7:15 MDT the FBI began a press conference in Orem, UT, where conservative commentator and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk lost his life by assassination Wednesday.

Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Beau Mason confirmed two “persons of interest” had been interrogated and released and asked the public to refrain from characterizing them as “suspects” or making threats against them.

Kirk had been speaking at a TPA USA event at Utah Valley University when a single shot hit him in the neck, killing him several hours later. It is believed the perpetrator fired at Kirk from a rooftop position.

“Good video footage” has been reviewed of the shooter’s movements before and after the murder, Mason said.

Mason said he spoke with Erika, Kirk’s widow, and “the family is devastated.”

“We will not stand for what happened yesterday,” he said, stating such a crime is not typically associated with Utah.

Robert Bohls of the FBI, Salt Lake City, said a rifle was used and discarded in a wooded area not far from the university and indicated the individual in the video footage has not yet been apprehended. The FBI has received approximately 130 tips and would appreciate any additional information the public might have, he said.

The FBI is “not sure how far the gunman has gone” from the site, Bohls said.

“The suspect blended in well with the college institution,” Mason said after resuming the podium, and “appears to be of college age.”

President Trump issued a public statement on Kirk’s assassination Wednesday night and ordered all American flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening.

Trump is attending the memorial service at the Pentagon Thursday morning.

Many have attributed Kirk with Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election in light of the significant youth population he galvanized to cast votes for the Republican, perhaps for the first time.