Charlie Kirk assassination sparks manhunt as shooting suspect remains at large

Click here to follow the latest updates in the manhunt for Charlie Kirk's assassin.

Turning Point USA has released a powerful tribute video to its founder, Charlie Kirk, honoring his life and legacy following his tragic death on Wednesday. 

The video, titled “A Life of Faith, A Legacy That Endures: Remembering Charlie Kirk,” highlights some of his most influential moments and quotes throughout his career in the public sphere. 

“This is not a flash-in-the-pan movement. We’re going to become an institution, to give them the power and confidence and let their voice be heard,” a young Kirk is seen saying at a time when Turning Point USA was active in 15 locations. Today, the group says it has a presence on about 3,500 college and high school campuses across all 50 states. 

FOX NEWS PERSONALITIES OFFER EMOTIONAL TRIBUTES TO CHARLIE KIRK: 'HE LOVED AMERICA SO MUCH'

Kirk often spoke openly about the role his Christian faith played in shaping his work and message, and the video leans heavily on that theme. 

“We as Christians are called to go into the public arena to correct error with truth, so I go to college campuses and there are a lot of error,” Kirk says in the video.

“We are all sinners, we all live in error. I’m far more interested in what God wants of me than what I want from God.” 

The video also shows emotional moments between Kirk and his wife, Erika, as she expresses her love and pride in him, as well as a clip of his daughter running into his arms after an appearance on “Fox & Friends.” 

It also includes President Donald Trump praising Kirk’s accomplishments. 

“The media said that Turning Point could never run a ground game, they weren’t experienced,” Trump says at a Turning Point event. “They didn’t know Charlie right.” 

The tribute ends with Kirk reflecting on how he wanted to be remembered. “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing,” he says.

In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Navy Secretary John Phelan warned Navy Department employees that any activity that heaps "discredit" on the department, the Navy, or the Marine Corps, will be handled "swiftly and decisively."

"I am aware of posts displaying contempt toward a fellow American who was assassinated," Phelan noted in a Thursday night post on X.

"I want to be very clear: any uniformed or civilian employee of the Department of the Navy who acts in a manner that brings discredit upon the Department, the @USNavy or the @USMC will be dealt with swiftly and decisively," he asserted.

On the heels of the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, a dozen House Republicans signed a letter calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson to direct that a statue of the late political figure be placed in the U.S. Capitol.

A letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., which Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., shared in a post on X, declared, "we call upon you to direct that a statue of Charlie Kirk be placed in the United States Capitol. This is not a symbolic gesture, but a permanent testament to his life's work, his courage, and his sacrifice. It will stand as a reminder that political disagreement must never be answered with violence, and that the fight for truth must carry on."

In her post, Luna said she owes her "entire political career to Charlie Kirk," noting, "I would quite literally not be in office today if it weren’t for him. Even when my own party was working against me, Charlie endorsed me and campaigned to help me win election."

In addition to Luna, the other letter signers include GOP Reps. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Byron Donalds of Florida, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Mary Miller of Illinois, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Michael Rulli of Ohio, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Jefferson Van Drew of New Jersey, Barry Moore of Alabama and Pat Fallon of Texas.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said he is aware of reports that some U.S. military personnel and Department of War civilians may have celebrated or mocked Charlie Kirk’s assassination online.

“We are tracking all these very closely — and will address, immediately,” Hegseth posted on X Thursday evening. “Completely unacceptable.”

Hegseth made the comments while reposting a statement by Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson and senior advisor to the secretary of war.

STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS IT WILL REVOKE VISAS OF FOREIGNERS WHO 'GLORIFY VIOLENCE' AFTER KIRK SHOOTING

"It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American,” Parnell wrote.

“The Department of War has zero tolerance for it.”

Parnell did not refer to any accounts or posts in particular but said the department will investigate any such behavior and take action if needed.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt. issued a statement denouncing the recent surge in political violence, urging Americans to defend free speech and democratic debate instead of turning to intimidation.

Sanders’ comments come following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, one of many violent attacks he says is “a disturbing rise in political violence.”

In the message, he said that while Kirk was someone he disagreed with on many issues, Kirk “was clearly a very smart and effective communicator,” and someone who was not afraid to get out into the world and engage the public.

Sanders framed the moment as a test of civic values.

“A free and democratic society… depends upon the basic premise that people can speak out, organize and take part in public life without fear,” he said. “That’s called freedom and democracy. You have a point of view—that’s great. I have a point of view that is different—that’s great. Let’s argue it out… and we hold free elections… in which the people decide what they want.”

The Vermont senator warned that this repeated violence erodes the public square. “Freedom and democracy are not about political violence… Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas, and you have to impose them through force.”

He added, “Every American… must condemn all forms of political violence and all forms of intimidation. We must welcome and respect dissenting points of view.”

Sanders went on to urge a national response. “If we honestly believe in democracy… all of us must be loud and clear: political violence, regardless of ideology, is not the answer and must be condemned.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., called for the immediate termination of a Secret Service agent in a post on X, saying the employee “attempted to justify a political assassination” and urging leadership to “immediately terminate his employment.”

Blackburn says the agent suggested Charlie Kirk “deserved” to be assassinated in a Facebook post and urged the agency to “root out the rot.”

“As our nation mourns the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk… I am calling for this agent’s immediate termination. It’s time to root out the rot in the Secret Service,” she wrote on X.

In a letter to Director Sean M. Curran, Blackburn quoted the Facebook post that sparked her outrage: “if you are Mourning [sic] this guy… [sic] delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show,” and “you can’t circumvent karma, [sic] she doesnt [sic] leave.”

Blackburn added that all protectees — including President Donald Trump — “deserve nothing less,” and reminded leadership of the “importance of accountability.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox warned of a "tremendous" amount of disinformation related to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.

"I think Charlie said it best that when, when things get bad, we should put our phones down and spend a little time with our families," Spencer said during a Thursday night news conference. "There is a tremendous amount of disinformation that we are tracking."

"What we're seeing is our adversaries want violence," he added. "We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence."

Cox noted that prosecutors will pursue the death if and when the suspect is caught and brought to trial.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said officials have received over 7,00 tips and leads in connection to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which is more than the FBI received since the Boston Marathon Bombing.

“We, the public, has answered our call for action. So far, we've received more than 7000 leads and tips. I would just note that the FBI hasn't received this many digital media tips from the public since the Boston Marathon bombing,” Cox said during a press conference on Thursday. “This case also highlights the dedication of our law enforcement community.

“We have 20 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that are working shoulder to shoulder to find the person who committed this horrific crime,” he continued. “With their support, we've completed, nearly 200 interviews as, as you're aware, as has already been reported, the FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk.”

Cox also spoke about possible penalties once the person of interest has been captured.

“More than anything, we are going to catch this person,” he said. “Last thing I will just say is we've been working with our attorneys, getting everything that we need affidavits ready. So that we can pursue the death penalty in this case. And that will happen here in the state of Utah.”

Video from one witness to the assassination of Charlie Kirk shows people dropping to the ground as the Turning Point USA founder was shot at a speaking event on Wednesday.

Kirk was shot and killed during an event on Wednesday hosted by TPUSA at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A university spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital that Kirk was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died.

Two separate individuals were detained and questioned by law enforcement and were later released. The FBI released two images of a person of interest on Thursday, which depict a male wearing jeans, a black shirt with an American flag graphic, a hat and black sunglasses. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading authorities to a suspect.

"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah," FBI Salt Lake City wrote on X.

Read more about how the manhunt is unfolding for the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk.

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes.

Newly released video shows a person of interest being sought by law enforcement officials in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, limping down the road in a residential neighborhood in Utah.

The video, which was obtained by TMZ, was captured on a home surveillance system close to the location Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, though it is not clear whether the video was shot before or after the shooting.

Video shows the person of interest wearing a black long sleeve shirt with a black hat, sunglasses and backpack. The person of interest also resembles the person in images released by law enforcement of a person wanted for questioning walking down steps at Utah Valley University.

In another clip, the person of interest is seen walking behind a building as two people pass by. Once the two people pass, the person of interest is seen running from behind the building toward the street.

A person of interest in the assassination of Charlie Kirk is suspected of fleeing down the street in the immediate aftermath of the killing.

A police officer on scene told Fox News Digital that authorities are conducting “forensic scanning” of the tight-knit neighborhood, where one family owns most of the properties.

Earlier in the day, Fox News Digital watched as federal agents and state police gathered surveillance footage from a home on the street. At the time, a family member of the homeowner, Erwin Steele, said footage from the camera showed the person of interest fleeing through the back yards of several properties.

Utah State Police blocked the perimeter of the Losee Center at Utah Valley University on Thursday morning as the manhunt continues for the assassin of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the shot that killed Kirk came from the roof of a campus building about 200 yards away from where Kirk was delivering his remarks.

CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION ROCKS CAPITOL HILL, HEIGHTENS LAWMAKERS' SECURITY FEARS

While authorities have not confirmed that the shots came from the Losee Center on Wednesday, state police cars blocked incoming traffic outside the Losee Center on Thursday as authorities investigated in and around the school building.

Videos captured by eyewitnesses on the scene on Wednesday showed a person in dark clothing running on a campus building.

Read more about the investigation into the shooter who killed Charlie Kirk.

This is an excerpt from a story by Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey.

The late Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, was seen holding hands with second lady Usha Vance as they stepped off Air Force Two in Arizona on Thursday evening.

WATCH: BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS EXPRESS SHOCK, GRIEF AFTER CHARLIE KIRK'S KILLING

Vice President JD Vance and his family traveled aboard the aircraft, which also carried Kirk’s body from Utah. Hours earlier in Salt Lake City, Vance personally escorted the flag-draped casket onto the plane alongside military service members.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University.

The body of Charlie Kirk arrived in Arizona on Thursday after his casket escorted onto Air Force Two by Vice President JD Vance.

The casket carrying Kirk was carried from Air Force Two following its takeoff from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kirk will be buried in Arizona and President Donald Trump said he will attend the funeral.

Vice President JD Vance escorted the body of Charlie Kirk aboard Air Force Two on Thursday.

The aircraft took off from Salt Lake City, Utah, one day after Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University.

The plane was reportedly enroute to Arizona, where the conservative activist will be buried. Before takeoff, Vance was seen with several military service members carrying the casket into the Air Force Two.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will attend the funeral for Charlie Kirk.

Speaking with reporters before boarding Marine One, Trump was asked about attending the service.

"I believe it's in Arizona and they've asked me to go and I think I have an obligation to do that," he said. "I hear next weekend. Whenever it is, I'm hearing next weekend."

Trump said he spoke with Kirk's wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, who he said was "devastated."

In other remarks, Trump said he was concerned for the country over political violence.

"I'm really concerned for our country," he said. "We have a great country. We have a radical left group of, lunatics out there. Just absolute lunatics."

"And we're going to get that problems out," he added. "I'm only concerned for the country."

A man was arrested following a foot chase after entering the crime scene where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed to take photos, authorities said Thursday.

The unidentified man was taken into custody just after 11 a.m. local time near the Utah Valley University campus, the Utah Department of Public Safety said.

The suspect approached the shooting scene while ignoring police crime scene tape, police said.

“He entered the secured area and began taking photos of the scene and Law Enforcement Officers,” a police statement said. “When an agent ordered him to stop and attempted to identify him, the male fled on foot but was soon apprehended by other officers. He has been booked into the Utah County Jail for felony obstruction and trespassing.”

The arrest was not related to Kirk's murder.