Charlie Kirk, the prominent American right-wing influencer and conservative activist, was mysteriously shot Wednesday. The campus shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The attack came just after noon as he spoke to a gathered crowd of around 3,000 worshippers. Kirk, 31, was taking questions on the issue of gun violence when the attack started.
Witnesses say Kirk was shot with a single gunshot as he spoke into a handheld microphone. The program opened with a lively and informative discussion. In an instant, it seemed to explode into turmoil as participants responded to the incomprehensible violence with alarm and outrage.
Investigation and Manhunt Underway
After the shooting, the police and federal agents launched a massive manhunt for the shooter. On Friday, the FBI announced that they had found a rifle used in the attack. After the chase, they discovered it down a wooded road that the suspect fled on.
Special Agent Robert Bohls noted that investigators collected significant evidence from the crime scene, including “footwear, a palm print, and forearm imprints.” He noted that the bureau is still in the process of going over the weapon to get more information.
“[It] was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled,” – Special Agent Robert Bohls
Police say they have received some “very, very good video evidence” of the suspect’s actions. They’ve chosen not to do so until now. This major decision will further protect the integrity of the investigation.
Community Safety Concerns
Though the event was extreme, government representatives have attempted to calm jittery citizens about potential threats. Special Agent Bohls stated, “We don’t believe the community is at risk,” indicating that there is no immediate threat to residents or students in the area.
Beau Mason, who watched the chaos erupt, recalled how the suspect made his getaway in the fray after the shooting. “After the shooting, he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled off of the campus into a neighborhood,” Mason recounted.
Ongoing Investigation and Motive
Investigators are still trying to figure out how Kirk died. So far they have not been able to figure out what motivated the shooting. The FBI is still collecting evidence and trying to ID the shooter.
The terrible death of Charlie Kirk has had everyone from his supporters to those who think he’s straight-up evil reeling. Combined with his abilities as a conservative activist, this talent helped make him one of the most essential and influential figures in American political discourse. While the investigation into his suspicious death continues, communities across the nation await justice for Kirk and his family.
