Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old influential figure in conservative politics, was fatally shot on September 11, 2025, while addressing a large crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The assassination sent shockwaves through America's political landscape, prompting a massive multi-agency investigation involving hundreds of agents from over 20 law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.

Initially, investigators had no one in custody and appealed for public assistance, with Utah Governor Spencer Cox announcing over 7,000 leads were received. FBI Director Kash Patel, who had prematurely tweeted about an arrest, later retracted his statement. Law enforcement released images of a person of interest, described as wearing Converse shoes, a black baseball cap, dark sunglasses, jeans, and a long-sleeved top with an American flag design. Police believed the shooter fired a single, fatal bullet from a rooftop up to 200 yards (180 meters) away, striking Kirk in the neck. Video footage captured a figure running across a university roof, jumping to the ground, and heading towards trees, where a high-powered bolt-action rifle was later recovered.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that a suspect had been taken into custody following the extensive manhunt. Trump stated that