Authorities in Utah provided an update on a manhunt for the gunman who fatally shot Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, as state and federal agencies co-lead the investigation into what officials believe was a targeted attack.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said in a press release that Kirk was speaking at the event at about 12:20 p.m. local time when he was shot.
“We initially took in George Zinn as a suspect. He was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police,” the department said. “A second suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after interrogation with law enforcement. There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter.”
Investigators believe the attack was targeted and the shooter is believed to have fired a round from the roof of a building.
The event took place in a student courtyard, which was secured with the help of six Utah Valley University officers.
DPS said the security measures from the university were in addition to Kirk’s security detail.
DPS also said about 3,000 people attended the event.
“This is a tragic moment for Utah and our country,” DPS said. “As we all heal, we encourage those who need help to call 988, our state’s mental health crisis line.”
Co-leading the investigation with the Utah Department of Public Safety are the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as well as the Utah County Attorney’s Office, Utah County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments.
The FBI asks anyone with information about the shooting to reach out using a tip line, which can be found here.
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and father of two, is dead after being shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University Wednesday.
Charlie Kirk hands out hats before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Trump wrote. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Kirk died after he was taken to a hospital in critical condition after being shot Wednesday at a Utah event, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
Video posted from the event appeared to show Kirk being shot as he spoke to the crowd from under a white pop-up tent. After the shot, the crowd dispersed, with onlookers shouting, “Run, run, run!”
Treanor said the shooting happened at about 12:20 p.m.
In one video, obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital, captured Kirk moments before the assassination. The video shows students crowded around a white tent emblazoned with the words, “THE AMERICAN COMEBACK” and “PROVE ME WRONG.”
With Fox News report
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