An intensive investigation is underway in Utah to identify and arrest the gunman responsible for the shooting death of conservative influencer and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk had been invited to Utah Valley University to address students and others. A large crowd had gathered at the university campus in Orem, Utah when Kirk was shot.

It’s believed the fatal shot was fired from a rooftop.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Beau Mason says a number of people of interest were interviewed, cleared and released. He’s urging calm as the investigation continues.

He says even though the people they interviewed have been cleared, but they are being sought out, and harassed.

In the meantime, says Mason, officials have good quality surveillance images of the suspect and have been able to track his movements before, and after the shooting.

“We do have good video footage of this individual, we are not going to release that at this time” says Mason. He says they are currently using technologies to identify the suspect. He indicated that the images would be released publicly through the media if they have to turn to the public to identify the suspect.

Those images have since been shared by the FBI in Salt Lake City via X.

We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
1-800-CALL-FBI
Digital media tips: https://t.co/K7maX81TjJ pic.twitter.com/ALuVkTXuDc

— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025

‘Awful and scary’ – Canadian political scientist weighs in

A political scientist from Dalhousie University is calling the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk “absolutely awful and scary.”

Kirk, who was closely associated with US President Donald Trump, was doing a Q and A in an outside area at Utah Valley University when he was killed with a single bullet, which officials believe was shot from 200 yards away.

The horrific act has been condemned by leaders of all political stripe.

Speaking to the current political climate in the United States, Dr. Lori Turnbull says Canada has seen troubling trends as it relates to polarization, “demonizing rhetoric,” and a sense that other political parties are the “enemy” rather than an opponent, but it is not happening in the same way as it is south of our border.

As well, Turnbull says they have a much different gun violence issue. And when the issue of gun violence and political tension intersect it creates a “major problem in terms of public safety.”