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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.