Amelia Head, Staff Writer

OREM, UTAH – Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was hosting a live debate under the organization Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University. Kirk was speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent, surrounded by cameras and other people invested in the debate. During one of his early questions, at 12:23 p.m. local time, a loud shot can be heard; Kirk reaches up with his right hand as his blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Suddenly, as it has become clear that he has been severely shot, the area goes into a pure panic, not knowing whether he will survive or not. This event resulted in the death of the right wing activist Charlie Kirk. His death was announced later on at the hospital as he failed to recover from the wound to his neck.

What is currently known is that the main suspect of the shooting has been identified as Tyler Robinson. He is a 22-year-old Utah resident that was attending an apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College. He grew up in the city of Washington, Utah, nearly a 3 and a half hour drive from the Utah Valley University campus. In 2021, Robinson attended Utah State University for one semester and received college credit through Utah Tech University from 2019 to 2021 while he was still in high school.

On Sept. 11, the FBI released surveillance images showing the suspect. This revealing video shows him jumping off the roof where the shooting is believed to have happened. Authorities also alleged that Tyler Robinson’s roommate was involved in this case as the roommate in question had shown messages on the social media platform Discord that referenced needing to pick up a rifle from a drop point. 

“It is a high-powered, bolt-action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled,”  according to FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Salt Lake office.

New information is still being released as investigations continue.