Crime
First look at the suspect who shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University event in Orem
OREM, Utah – At approximately 12:20 p.m. MST on Wednesday, political commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was speaking at a student-sponsored event at Utah Valley University (UVU) when he was shot.
Emergency responders immediately rendered aid, and Kirk was transported to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are co-leading the case in close coordination with the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and local law enforcement partners.
George Hodgson Zinn was initially detained as a suspect but has since been released. He has been charged with obstruction by UVU Police for unrelated conduct.
A second individual, Zachariah Qureshi, was taken into custody and later released following extensive questioning. Authorities have confirmed there are currently no ties between either of these individuals and the shooting.
The shooter remains at large, and investigators continue to pursue active leads.
The FBI has established a digital media tip line at fbi.gov/UtahValleyShooting. Members of the public with photos, videos, or any relevant information are urged to submit materials directly through this portal to assist investigators.
The State Crime Lab and federal partners are processing multiple active crime scenes. These include both the location where Kirk was shot and other sites linked to the movement of the suspect and victim.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was a targeted attack. Authorities believe the shooter fired from the roof of a nearby campus building, directing gunfire toward the public event taking place in the student courtyard. Additional details are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
To secure the event, UVU Police Department deployed six officers in addition to Mr. Kirk’s private security team. Attendance at the event is estimated at approximately 3,000 individuals. The gathering was held in the university quad, an outdoor bowl-style courtyard commonly used for student events.
The UVU campus will remain closed for the rest of the week out of an abundance of caution and to allow law enforcement continued access to the investigation sites. Students, faculty, and staff seeking updated information should visit uvu.info.
This is a tragic moment for Utah and the nation. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk, as well as to the UVU community and all who were impacted.
For those experiencing emotional distress, the state urges individuals to call 988, Utah’s mental health crisis line, for immediate support.
Further information will be released as soon as it is available.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.