Crime
Who is Skye Valadez? Had a song on Soundcloud called “Charlie Kirk Dead at 31”
Skye Valadez is a transgender musician and artist from Ogden, Utah, who uses she/her pronouns.
In September 2025, her name began circulating widely online after social media users connected her to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
\While law enforcement has not formally identified Valadez as a suspect, the FBI has appealed to the public for help identifying a person of interest captured on surveillance near the scene.
Background and Identity
- Location: Ogden/Riverdale area, part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan region.
- Age: Early 20s (based on available photographs and school records).
- Appearance: Older school photographs show her with glasses and long hair; more recent images depict her wearing casual attire such as hoodies, baseball caps, and sunglasses.
- Online Presence: Active on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest (under the handle rainy_skye021). Her posts often feature personal content and music-related material.
Music and Creative Work
Valadez is associated with underground music projects with provocative and politically charged themes:
- Project: Godโs Finest Scalpel (local Utah band she follows and has been linked to).
- Album: Death to American Scum โ contains tracks expressing hostility toward American conservatism, organized religion, and far-right figures.
- Notable Track: Charlie Kirk Dead at 31, released on SoundCloud and archived online as early as March 2025, months before Kirkโs killing.
- Other Music: Reportedly produced a track titled Charlie Kirkโs Death Isnโt Enough for Me, and has referenced anti-fascist, anti-Christian themes across her discography.
She has also been linked to following another Utah-based band, Brain for the Masses, known for the 2018 album Monachopsis, which explores feelings of alienation and displacement through tracks such as โBleak,โ โRetribution,โ and โStay Afloat.โ
Public Reaction and Controversy
Valadezโs work has been described as confrontational and politically satirical. Critics argue her lyrics glorify violence against conservative figures, while supporters interpret them as exaggerated protest art common in radical underground music scenes. Following Kirkโs death, some social media accounts connected to her circle reportedly celebrated the event, amplifying public scrutiny.
Connection to the Charlie Kirk Shooting
Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a campus event for his โAmerican Comeback Tourโ at Utah Valley University. According to investigators, the shooter fired a single, long-range shot, described as a โsniper-styleโ attack from approximately 200 yards away.
Factors fueling speculation around Valadezโs possible involvement include:
- Song Title: Charlie Kirk Dead at 31 explicitly matched Kirkโs name and age at death.
- Timeline: The songโs existence months prior to the attack was confirmed by internet archives, making its title appear predictive.
- Physical Resemblance: The FBIโs released images of a person of interest in dark clothing, a cap, and sunglasses bear similarities to Valadezโs public photographs.
- Proximity: Valadez lives within 40 miles of the university, placing her within accessible range.
- Ideological Alignment: Online writings and song lyrics reflect strong anti-Kirk and anti-conservative sentiment.
- Reports from the Scene: Some unverified accounts suggested slogans linked to leftist and transgender activism were inscribed on the bullets used, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Current Status
As of September 11, 2025, Valadez has not been officially named as a suspect by authorities. The FBI continues to request public assistance in identifying the person of interest. Online speculation, however, has escalated into doxxing attempts and widespread debate, placing Valadez under significant scrutiny.
FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.