Police search for sniper who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah

11/9/2025 16:46

Police and federal agents mounted an intense manhunt on Thursday for the sniper believed to have fired the single gunshot that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk as he was fielding questions about gun violence during a university appearance.



Kirk, 31, a podcast-radio commentator and an influential ally of Donald Trump, is credited with helping build the Republican president's base among younger voters. He was gunned down on Wednesday in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox called a political assassination.



The slaying, captured in graphic detail in video clips that rapidly spread around the internet, occurred during a midday event attended by 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles (65 km) south of Salt Lake City.