This article may contain discussion of distressing topics such as gun violence and death. Please be advised.

During the first event of Turning Point USA’s fall “American Comeback” tour, co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Utah Valley University campus. Kirk had been speaking to students about gun violence before his death Wednesday afternoon.

UVU stated online that Kirk was shot at approximately 12:20p.m. MST, and was escorted to a nearby hospital by private security. 

The Utah Department of Public Health and Safety held a 20 minute press conference at 4:30 p.m. through an Instagram livestream addressing the incident, including comments from UDPHS commissioner Beau Mason, FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls, UVU Vice President Val Peterson, UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long and Gov. Spencer Cox. 

UDPHS is co-leading an investigation into the incident alongside the FBI, local police, university police and county sheriff’s office to apprehend the shooter. 

“Shortly after the shooting, we did have a suspect in custody: George Zinn,” Commissioner Mason said. “But he was released from custody when we identified that he did not match the shooting suspect and was not an accurate person of interest. However, he has been booked in the county jail by the [UVU] police department for obstruction of justice.”

Speakers at the press conference were firm in the stance that this was a politically motivated attack, calling it an assassination. 

“We firmly believe that Utah Valley University is a place to share ideas and to debate openly and respectfully,” UVU Vice President Peterson said. “Any attempt to infringe on those rights has no place here.”

Gov. Cox confirmed that he is in contact with President Donald Trump and FBI director Kash Patel during the investigation, and expressed condolences for Kirk and his family.

“This is a dark day for our state,” Cox said. “It’s a tragic day for our nation.”

UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long stated that there were six officers at the event, as well as Kirk’s private security team. An estimation of over 3,000 people were in attendance.

“The shot came from here on campus,” Long confirmed. “Potentially from a roof.”

Special Agent Bohls stated that officials are working on setting up a digital media tipline for people to submit any information about the shooting. 

At 6:21 p.m. ET FBI director Patel posted to X: “The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.” 

Officials did not announce an arrest until Thursday evening at 10 p.m. ET, and the suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody. 

Utah State University stated that Robinson was registered with the university for a semester in 2021. He is an inactive voter and unaffiliated with any political party, according to Utah voting records.

Charlie Kirk had visited MSU as part of the American Comeback Tour in April to mixed reactions. The MSU chapter of Turning Point USA held a candlelight vigil for Kirk on Thursday at 9 p.m. at the Wells Hall courtyard.

TPUSA at MSU chapter president Alex Bitzan provided a brief written statement reflecting the student organization’s perspective on the passing of Charlie Kirk.

After the Feb. 2023 shooting on MSU campus, gun violence remains a pertinent topic for MSU students. Many students and community members empathized with UVU and spoke about the ongoing trend of gun violence in schools.

Frank Fabrizio, a junior international relations major, voiced concern about gun violence on college campuses and ongoing political tensions.

“We’ve had some gun based violence in the past,” Fabrizio said. “Even here at Michigan State, in the Union, we had the shooting a few years ago and I think this is kind of a continuance of that. I think it might escalate some of the violence and problems we’ve had on campuses all across the country, even more so than it has in the past.”

Fabrizio continued, explaining that despite a difference in political ideology, he believes in the importance of organizations like Turning Point USA.

“I don’t support Turning Point USA, but I support their existence,” Fabrizio said. “Because free speech and expression of ideology is very important and is one of the principles of American democracy. Even though I don’t support them, I think it’s good that everyone has a place to express their ideals.”

Other students, such as Emmett Coyne, a freshman studying political science, also feel uneasy about future campus events as a result of Kirk’s death.

“I’m just thinking that maybe we should be a little bit more cautious if we’re going to be bringing in controversial figures so that we don’t put our campus at risk,” Coyne said.

Lansing locals are also feeling the weight of the incident and the possible societal consequences. Dee Mills, 31, shared her outlook on the future of the U.S. 

“I think that politically this is going to drive the right side and the conservative side to be more open to retaliation,” Mills said. “But it might also increase security on campuses and also in schools in general that have been affected by so much gun violence and other things.”

When Kirk had visited MSU campus last spring, Mills said that she was hoping to speak out against him.

“I was wanting to go and join the protests against him, but I was unable to due to prior engagements,” Mills said. “But I was very frustrated with the fact that somebody wanted to come on campus just to spread hate.”

Erica Fetterman, a senior majoring in supply chain management believes that the shooting was also influenced by hate.

“That person probably just didn’t agree with Charlie Kirk and what he was telling or educating students on whether it was what he believed or not,” Fetterman said. “Like, I just feel like it was all just hate. No matter how much one can hate someone, I just don’t really understand the purpose of shooting them or trying to kill them. I feel like that’s insanely violent and just not needed whatsoever.”

Fetterman shared what this incident means to her and its broader implications.

“I feel like people these days are choosing a more violent approach towards what they actually believe or what they fear is gonna happen to them,” Fetterman said. “I think they’re part of the problem. I just feel like everyone should be able to speak freely on what they want to, but also no violence should come out of it.”