Shooting of Charlie Kirk
The shooting of Charlie Kirk stirred controversy and competing reports, when he was shot shortly after noon on September 10, 2025.[1]
Shooting
[edit | edit source]Kirk was addressing a crowd estimated to number in the thousands on the first stop of a fifteen stop speaking tour.[1]
A single shot rang out, while Kirk was answering a question about the prevalence of mass shootings in America.[1] The fatal shot was captured by multiple photographers, and while most mainstream news sites did not show the bullet's impact, other sites did broadcast that video, from multiple viewpoints.
Other footage emerged, taken by students on campus, showing a shadowy figure on the roof of the Losee Center, a building overlooking Kirk's speaking venue.[2]
Maps of the position of Kirk, and the shooter were published, asserting the distance was 520 feet (160 m).
Suspects
[edit | edit source]Shortly after the shooting many news sites broadcast footage of a white-haired man struggling with Police, as he was dragged from the crowd. Some newssites reported he was suspected of being the shooter. He was released a few hours later, cleared of suspicion of a role in the shooting.[1]
In the hours shortly after the shooting a second man was arrested, with some news sites reporting he too was the suspected shooter.[3] He too was subsequently released.
Early on September 12, 2025, an individual named Tyler Robinson was arrested.[2][4] It was reported that he had complained about Kirk in the days prior to the speaking event, and had said he was the shooter, after the event.
Investigation
[edit | edit source]FBI Director Kash Patel was criticized for asserting the second suspect was the actual shooter, only for him to be released after he had been cleared of suspicion.[3]
According to the The New York Times, Patel met with 200 agents, on September 11, who had been working on the case, and was harshly critical of their efforts, so far.[3] One of the officials present at the meeting quoted Patel as characterizing FBI efforts as "Mickey Mouse", adding it was one of the few comments Patel made that was not laced with profanity.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3
Zachary Folk; Antonio Pequeño IV (2025-09-12). "Tyler Robinson In Custody As Charlie Kirk Shooting Suspect (Live". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who said a “subject for the horrific shooting” was in custody as of 6:21 p.m. EDT, provided an update in a 7:59 p.m. EDT tweet, saying the person “has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement.” According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs; Devlin Barrett; Glenn Thrush; Haberman Maggie; Isabella Kwai; Elizabeth Dias; Richard Fausset; Kellen Browning; Shawn Hubler; Edgar Sandoval; Audra D. S. Burch; Jack Healy; Reid J. Epstein; Adam Goldman; Annie Karni; Megan Mineiro; Michael Gold; Catie Edmondson; Robert Jimison (2025-09-12). "Suspect in Charlie Kirk Shooting Is in Custody: Live Updates". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
The authorities identified him as Tyler Robinson, and said that he had made statements to relatives suggesting he had committed the crime.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2
Glenn Thrush; Devlin Barrett; Adam Goldman (2025-09-12). "Patel and F.B.I. Face Scrutiny as Kirk's Killer Remains at Large". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
Mr. Patel said he would not tolerate any more 'Mickey Mouse operations,' an official on the call recounted. It was one of his few utterances without profanity, the person added.
- ↑
- Brian Schwartz (2025-09-10). "Charlie Kirk Shooting: Live Updates". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
Bullet casings with inscriptions were found by authorities. One of the inscriptions read: “Hey fascist! Catch!”
- Gareth Vipers (2025-09-10). "Robinson Discussed Dislike for Kirk Days Before Shooting". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
A family member told authorities TylerRobinson had discussed his dislike for Charlie Kirk at a dinner days before the shooting, Utah Governor Spencer Cox said.
- "Bullet Casings Found With Inscriptions, Gov. Cox Says". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- Brian Schwartz (2025-09-10). "Charlie Kirk Shooting: Live Updates". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-09-12.