Charlie Kirk shooting LIVE: Person of interest detained as sniper spotted in video

Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions that could be upsetting.

Sameer Massey, an international student from India, had just started filming Charlie Kirk's speech on his iPhone when the shot was fired.

"I saw his blood on the table, I saw him getting shot, I saw people running for their lives. I saw people falling on each other, and it was scary," he said in a video posted to Facebook.

Massey, from New Delhi, said there was no obvious security around Kirk – nothing that might have protected him from a shooter in the crowd.

Video posted to his Facebook profile showed Massey and other people urging people running through a campus building to "go, go, go" and, "get out, get out, get out."

Someone is seen stumbling to the floor in their haste to leave.

He told CNN affiliate, ABC Radio, that he and the other students who worked at the university immediately started trying to evacuate the crowd.

He said attendees included a mix of students and others from outside the university who didn't know the way out, and who weren't sure how to leave the area.

The university event where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed had over 3,000 people in attendance and six officers on guard, according to Jeff Long, the police chief at Utah Valley University.

The event was "in kind of a bowl area here on the central campus," Long said at a press conference on Wednesday. "We have a waterfall area, and so he [Kirk] was kind of in a lower area surrounded by buildings."

Plain clothes police officers were also positioned throughout the crowd, along with Kirk's own security team that travels with him, according to Long.

"We trained for these things. And you think you have things covered. And these things, unfortunately, they happen. You try to get your bases covered. And unfortunately, today we didn't, and because of that, we had this tragic incident," Long said.

A chilling video has emerged showing a sniper lurking on the roof of the Losee Centre at Utah Valley University, following the shooting of Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event on Wednesday.

Kirk was tragically shot in the neck and later died in hospital after being rushed there in a critical condition.

FBI Director Kash Patel stated on his X account that the suspected shooter had been taken into custody by authorities.

"The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able."

3 hours ago22:18 Laura Zilincanova

Former US President Joe Biden has condemned the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.

He said: "There is no place in our country for this kind of violence.

"It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk's family and loved ones."

In the meantime, Donald Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half mast in the US until Sunday evening at 6pm.

3 hours ago22:11 Laura Zilincanova

The police are still searching for the suspect and the scene is not yet declared safe for the public, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News.

Utah Valley University released a statement asking those "still on campus to secure in place until police officers can safely escort them off campus".

3 hours ago22:10 Laura Zilincanova

Charlie Kirk, 31, was one of the most prominent conservative activists in the United States and a close ally of former President Donald Trump.

He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 at just 18, aiming to promote conservative values on college campuses. Known for hosting open-air debates, he built a large following through social media and his daily podcast, often discussing topics such as gender identity, climate change, faith, and family.

Kirk was married with two young children.

(Image: Getty)

3 hours ago22:00 Laura Zilincanova

US Vice President JD Vance, Charlie Kirk's friend, posted on social media.

He said: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."

3 hours ago21:41 Laura Zilincanova

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Charlie Kirk has died.

He wrote: "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead."

The 31-year-old was shot at a campus event in Utah on Wednesday afternoon.

3 hours ago21:36 Laura Zilincanova

A witness who attended Charlie Kirk's event at Utah Valley University said there were no security measures in place to screen people or even take their tickets.

She told CNN there weren't metal detectors and nobody checked bags, which "felt off".

4 hours ago21:20 Laura Zilincanova

Kirk engaged in a conversation about transgender mass shooters in the US seconds before being shot, CNN reported.

Here's the full exchange:

Audience member: "Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?"

Kirk: "Too many."

The same audience member went on say the number is five, and proceeded to ask if Kirk knows how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years.

Kirk: "Counting or not counting gang violence?"

Seconds later, Kirk gets shot and recoils in his seat.

(Image: AP)

4 hours ago21:10 Laura Zilincanova

In a statement sent to US media, Ellen Trean, spokeswoman for Utah Valley University, said shots were fired from about 182 metres away.

"At about 12:20 shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel," she said.

4 hours ago21:08 Laura Zilincanova

4 hours ago21:02 Laura Zilincanova

Charlie Kirk, shot in the neck, is reportedly in ctitical condition, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has said on social media.

"PLEASE KEEP PRAYING. Hearing he is in critical condition but still with us," she wrote on X.

4 hours ago20:55 Laura Zilincanova

A video posted on X shows crowds of students running away from the site where Kirk was shot.

Another video verified by BBC shows Charlie Kirk sitting alone under the tent with several others standing nearby.

As Kirk is speaking, a loud bang can be heard.

"Oh my God!" one person says.

"Go! Run, run run!" another yells as those in the audience scatter.

4 hours ago20:49 Laura Zilincanova

Earlier, police released a statement on X confirming that Charlie Kirk had been shot at 12:10 and that the suspect is in custody.

However, a spokesperson from Utah Valley University said despite the earlier claims, the suspect is not yet in custody.

"We can confirm that Mr. Kirk was shot, but we don't know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating Campus is closed for the rest of the day," UVU spokesperson Scott Trotter said in a statement.

4 hours ago20:46 Laura Zilincanova

US politicians are reacting on social media to the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Vice-President JD Vance: "Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father."

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: "Prayers for Charlie Kirk. An incredible Christian, American, and human being. May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him."

Attorney General Pamela Bondi: "FBI and ATF agents are on the way. PRAY FOR CHARLIE."

House Speaker Mike Johnson: "Please join us in praying for our good friend, Charlie Kirk."

California Governor Gavin Newsom: "The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form."

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr: "We love you Charlie Kirk. Praying for you."

4 hours ago20:42 Laura Zilincanova

In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump has reacted to the shooting of Charlie Kirk at a Utah college.

He said: "We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot. A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"

4 hours ago20:40 Laura Zilincanova

Charlie Kirk, 31, is a right-wing commentator and popular podcast host with millions of followers. He is best known for founding Turning Point USA, a non-profit organisation that promotes conservative views among students on American university campuses. He has around 5.2 million followers on X and 7.3 million on TikTok and is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.

He is married and has two children.

(Image: Getty)

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4 hours ago20:35 Laura Zilincanova

Aubrey Laitsch, public relations manager for Turning Point USA, confirmed that Charlie Kirk had been taken to hospital. "He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time," she said.

Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the event, told Fox News he heard a single gunshot before seeing Kirk fall back. "It seemed like it was a close shot," he said, visibly shaken.

Chaffetz added that while there was some police presence and security on site, it was limited. "Utah is one of the safest places on the planet," he said. "And so we just don't have these types of things."

4 hours ago20:32 Laura Zilincanova

Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was shot on Wednesday during an event at a Utah college, the organisation confirmed.

Videos shared on social media show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while seated under a white tent bearing the slogans "The American Comeback" and "Prove Me Wrong."

A single gunshot is heard, and Kirk clutches the left side of his neck as blood begins to pour out. The crowd reacts in shock, with some screaming and running from the scene.

The Associated Press verified the videos were filmed in the Sorensen Center courtyard at Utah Valley University, where Kirk had been scheduled to speak.