US Politics
Charlie Kirk shot dead on Utah campus; FBI release image of ‘person of interest’: Live updates
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Police have released two photos of a “person of interest” as the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer remains ongoing 24 hours after the right-wing political activist and ally of Donald Trump was fatally shot at a Utah college campus.
The images showed a man wearing a hat, sunglasses and a dark shirt which appeared to have an image of the American flag on it.
Earlier, officials from the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety provided updates Thursday on their investigation into the shooting, which unfolded in front of a large outdoor crowd at a Utah Valley University event in Orem around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.
DPS Commissioner Beau Mason revealed that the shooter, who is believed to be around “college age,” arrived on campus around 11:52 a.m., before jumping off a nearby rooftop after the shooting and making his escape into a neighborhood.
Robert Bohls, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake field office, said that authorities found a “high-powered bolt-action rifle” in a wooded area, which they believed was used to kill Kirk. Bohls said investigators also “collected a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”
The president announced Thursday, during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon, that Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Here’s what you need to know this morning
Charlie Kirk, the MAGA stalwart and Donald Trump ally, died on Wednesday at the age of 31, after being shot in the neck at a college event in Utah. As authorities hunt for a suspect, here’s what you need to know this morning:
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Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 09:56
Rubio’s top deputy calls on social media to rat out ‘foreigners who glorify violence’ after Charlie Kirk killing
A top State Department official on Thursday gave a hint as to how Charlie Kirk’s killing could energize the Trump administration’s efforts to target foreigners living legally in the United States for expulsion.
Chris Landau, the top official serving under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, tweeted that his MAGA followers on X should report to the State Department if they believe a foreign-born person living in the United States is “glorifying violence” in their speech or actions.
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 19:41
Watch: Person spotted on roof before and after Charlie Kirk killing at Utah college
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 19:34
Utah students generally allowed to carry firearms on campus, experts say
Utah students are generally allowed to open-carry firearms on public college campuses, making it more difficult to assess whether security threats could have been identified if a gunman was carrying a weapon, law enforcement experts told The Independent.
Clarifications to state law that went into effect in May allow anyone who is 18 years of age or older and who has a concealed-carry permit to bring a firearm to campus, whether the weapon is concealed or open-carried.
The University of Utah’s website says concealed carry is permitted but suggests “there is nothing specifically set forth in the Utah statutes that allows a concealed firearm permit holder” to carry a firearm openly.
The state allows the purchase and possession of firearms in most cases without a license or permit.
Alex Woodward11 September 2025 19:23
Comedy Central pulls rerun of South Park episode mocking Kirk
Comedy Central has pulled a rerun of a “South Park” episode, scheduled for Wednesday, that mocked Charlie Kirk, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The episode, called “Got A Nut,” featured Eric Cartman as a parody of Kirk speaking to students about his conservative political views, with a hairstyle similar to the MAGA broadcaster.
Kirk previously called his parody “a badge of honor” and told Fox News ahead of the episode “we as conservatives need to be able to take a joke.”
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 19:15
Drone pictures show marks on roof made by shooter
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 19:07
Utah officials postpone press conference
A Thursday afternoon press conference to provide updates in the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk has been postponed until further notice.
“Due to the rapid developments in our investigation, we will suspend this [briefing]. We will release an updated time later today,” a spokesperson said.
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 19:01
Tennessee dean fired over ‘zero sympathy’ post about Charlie Kirk
An assistant dean at a Tennessee university has been fired over a social media posts in which she said she had “zero sympathy” MAGA broadcaster Charlie Kirk following his death.
The comments were highlighted online by Tennessee Senator Marsha Backburn online, with the president of Middle Tennessee State University releasing a statement shortly after.
“An MTSU employee today offered inappropriate and callous comments on social media concerning the horrific and tragic murder of Charlie Kirk.,” president Sidney A. McPhee wrote.
“The comments by this employee, who worked in a position of trust directly with students, were inconsistent with our values and have undermined the university’s credibility and reputation with our students, faculty, staff and the community at large.
“This employee has been fired effective immediately. We extend our deepest sympathies to the Kirk family.”
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 18:53
Utah officials to give further update
Utah law enforcement officials are due to give another new conference later Thursday.
The briefing is set to take place around 12:45 p.m. local time.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls and DPS Commissioner Beau Mason.
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 18:42
JD Vance to meet with Kirk’s family before taking casket back to Arizona
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance are set to meet with the family and close friends of Charlie Kirk before traveling from Utah to Arizona with his casket, according to sources.
The Vances will meet with Kirk’s loved ones in Salt Lake City before boarding Air Force Two and heading back to Arizona, where the MAGA broadcaster lived with his wife and two children.
The vice president and his wife were originally scheduled to visit Ground Zero in New York City to commemorate the 24th anniversary of 9/11, but flew to Utah after Kirk was fatally shot.
Mike Bedigan11 September 2025 18:35