Conservative influencer and key Trump ally Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday while debating university students at an open-air event in Utah, in an act of political violence that has stunned America.
Kirk, seen as the unofficial leader of the MAGA youth movement, was appearing on the first stop of his latest series of live events, the American Comeback Tour, in which he was to answer questions from an audience.
Here’s how the shooting unfolded. All times in Utah time (16 hours behind AEST).
Wednesday, 11.45am
A crowd of about 3000 has gathered at Utah Valley University for Kirk’s appearance.
Students assemble in front of Kirk’s tent, while others – including some protesters – watch from buildings overlooking the arena.
The crowd before Charlie Kirk’s event.
As is typical for Kirk’s events, security is light. There are six university police officers assigned to the event, plus some private security. There are no metal detectors or bag checks, students later tell the Associated Press. Some attendees say no one even checked their tickets.
Some in the crowd note afterwards they felt the courtyard venue was unsafe for a divisive public figure. One witness said: “There were a lot of ledges, points where this could happen.”
12pm
Kirk arrives to cheers, wearing a white T-shirt saying “Freedom”. He throws red MAGA caps to his fans and begins speaking at the start of his question-and-answer session.
Charlie Kirk hands out hats before he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University.Credit: AP
He has amassed a large online following for clips of his live debates with young people on issues such as affirmative action and transgender rights.
12.20pm
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” an audience member asks Kirk.
Kirk responds: “Too many.”
Kirk speaks to the crowd.Credit: AP
The questioner follows up: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk asks.
12.20pm
Barely a second after he answers that question, a loud shot rings out, and Kirk keels over to his left, with blood pouring from his neck.
The shot comes from a figure in dark clothing on a distant roof on campus, authorities later say.
Video footage from before and after the shooting shows a person on the roof of the Losee Centre, about 130 metres away.
The crowd cries out in horror as they witness Kirk slump to the ground. Many people duck for cover while others run away.
The crowd reacts after the shooting.Credit: AP
Kirk’s security team rushes to his aid and attempts to stem the bleeding as they carry him, running, to a private car.
Security personnel carry Kirk to a car.Credit: AFP
Kirk is then driven to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, about 3.7 kilometres from the university.
People attend a vigil at Timpanogos Regional Hospital for Kirk.Credit: AP
2.40pm
President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that Charlie Kirk has died, just after the news is confirmed by Kirk’s spokesman.
Credit:
3pm
Trump orders all US flags on official buildings to be flown at half mast until Sunday evening.
The American flag on the North Lawn at the White House flies at half mast after the shooting.Credit: AP
Meanwhile, students still on campus at Utah Valley University are told to stay in place until police can escort them off site.
SWAT teams head to the campus, and armed officers begin walking around the residential area bordering the site, knocking on doors and asking for information on the shooter.
Over the next few hours, officers are seen looking at a photo on their phones and showing it to people to see if they recognise a person of interest.
A SWAT team heads into Utah Valley University.Credit: AP
Law enforcement officers prepare to sweep a building at the university.Credit: AP
4pm
Police and Utah Governor Spencer Cox hold a press conference. They confirm a suspect was taken into custody after the shooting but later released, and that another person of interest is now being questioned.
FBI director Kash Patel posts on social media that a “subject” is in custody.
However, that person will also be released soon afterwards, leaving the assailant at large.
Utah Valley University police chief Jeff Long says he had six officers at the event, which proved inadequate. “You try to get your bases covered, and unfortunately, today, we didn’t,” Long says.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox addresses the media with Utah Valley University police chief Jeff Long.Credit: AP
Cox declares that “this is a dark day for our state; it’s a tragic day for our nation”.
6.40pm
As grief-stricken White House staff absorb the news of Kirk’s death, Trump releases a video address from the Oval Office, in which he attacks the “radical left” and vows to track down “each and every one of those who contributed” to Kirk’s death.
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