The recent shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the influential co-founder of Turning Point USA, has sent shockwaves across the United States, with authorities in Utah intensifying a manhunt for the sniper responsible for what has been labeled a political assassination. The incident, which occurred on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, has sparked widespread outrage and grief, with thousands mourning the loss of the 31-year-old conservative activist. Amid the somber reactions, UFC star Sean Strickland has ignited a firestorm of controversy with a video response that many have called insensitive and disturbing, drawing significant backlash online. As the investigation progresses, new details are emerging about the suspect, and the nation grapples with yet another act of political violence.

Kirk was speaking at an event titled “Prove Me Wrong,” a signature debate format where he engaged with students challenging his political views, when a single gunshot rang out, striking him in the neck. The attack took place in the university’s outdoor courtyard, where approximately 3,000 people had gathered to hear Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a prominent figure in the conservative youth movement. Videos circulating on social media captured the harrowing moment when Kirk, seated under a tent marked with the slogan “The American Comeback Tour,” recoiled from the impact, blood gushing from his wound as panicked attendees fled in all directions. Despite the presence of six university police officers and Kirk’s personal security team, the shooter, positioned roughly 200 yards away on the rooftop of the Losee Center, was able to execute the attack and escape into a nearby wooded area.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, addressing the tragedy, called it a “political assassination” and vowed that authorities would bring the perpetrator to justice. “I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this, we will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,” Cox declared during a press conference. The FBI, working alongside state and local law enforcement, has released images and video of a person of interest described as a college-aged individual wearing a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, and a black shirt featuring an American flag and an eagle. A high-powered bolt-action Mauser .30-06 rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered in a wooded area near the campus, wrapped in a towel, along with a palm print and other DNA evidence. The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest, noting that over 7,000 tips have been received, a volume not seen since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

While the nation mourns, Sean Strickland, a well-known UFC fighter, has drawn intense criticism for his reaction to Kirk’s death. In a video posted online, Strickland admitted to feeling a “dopamine rush” and “excitement” upon hearing the news, stating, “I’m on Twitter, and somebody says, ‘Hey, did you hear Charlie Kirk got shot,’ and my gut reaction was, ‘No, I f–king didn’t, but I’m excited like I felt this little dopamine rush in me.’” He went on to question whether the shooter was “black” or “a Liberal,” before reflecting, “How did we become such sociopaths, and become detached from human beings? When people walk down the streets, I don’t even see people, I see potential threats and problems.” The comments, widely shared on social media, have been met with outrage, with many accusing Strickland of trivializing a tragic event and promoting divisive rhetoric. Critics argue that his remarks highlight a troubling desensitization to violence, particularly in the context of political polarization.

The shooting has reignited discussions about the escalating threat of political violence in the United States. Kirk’s assassination follows a string of high-profile incidents, including an attempted assassination of President Trump during a campaign rally last year and the murder of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband in June. Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the attack, with Trump describing Kirk as “a great guy from top to bottom” and announcing plans to posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Democratic figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, have also expressed their condolences, emphasizing that political violence has no place in a democratic society. Internationally, leaders from Israel, Italy, and the United Kingdom have mourned Kirk, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him a “lion-hearted friend of Israel.”

At Utah Valley University, the mood remains somber as students and faculty process the trauma of the event. Witnesses like Skyler Baird, who was just 15 feet from Kirk when the shot was fired, described the chaos: “I heard a pop, and I said in my mind, ‘That was a gunshot.’ I pretty much knew immediately that he wasn’t going to make it.” A vigil was held at Utah’s State Capitol, and a makeshift memorial has grown outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, where Kirk’s body was flown aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and Kirk’s widow, Erika.

As the manhunt continues, authorities are urging the public to provide any photos or videos that could help identify the suspect, who is believed to have meticulously planned the attack. The recovery of the rifle and DNA evidence has given investigators hope, but the shooter’s ability to blend into the college environment and evade capture has raised concerns about the challenges of preventing such targeted attacks. For now, the nation waits anxiously for justice, while grappling with the broader implications of Kirk’s death and the controversial reactions it has provoked, including Strickland’s polarizing remarks. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on to bring the perpetrator to account.