Greg Gutfeld, a prominent Fox News personality, urged caution on air after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University, departing from an early wave of public speculation about who was responsible.
Kirk was killed at the campus event and the shooter remained at large as of the broadcast. In the hours after the killing, a number of conservative figures, including former President Donald Trump, publicly suggested the attack might have been carried out by people on the political left, though authorities had not confirmed a suspect or a motive.
On Wednesday’s edition of Fox News’ The Five, Gutfeld, who is often associated with forceful commentary, said the available facts did not support a quick political attribution. “We don’t know who did this,” he said, adding that the killing did not necessarily “help the left” and that he was unsure whether left-wing actors were responsible. "Which makes me think, is it the left? I don’t know. I don’t know. We don’t know. But it feels professional," he added.
Gutfeld’s remarks contrasted with the immediate reactions from some conservative leaders and media figures who asserted a partisan motive despite the absence of public evidence. Law enforcement agencies continued to investigate the scene at Utah Valley University and were working to identify and locate a suspect, officials said in media statements.
Kirk, a founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was a frequent presence in conservative media and politics. His death prompted a wide range of responses across the political spectrum and intensified scrutiny of rhetoric in national public discourse.
Gutfeld, who hosts late-night and panel programs at Fox News, is known for a combative style and provocative remarks. The cautious tone he adopted during the broadcast was notable to viewers who have come to expect more assertive commentary from him and other prime-time hosts.
Journalists and media analysts noted the incident underscored the broader challenges of covering politically charged violence in real time: balancing the need to inform the public with the risks of amplifying unverified claims. Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators and stressed that the probe remained active.
The investigation into Kirk’s killing remained ongoing, and officials had not released further details about a suspect or possible motives. News organizations continued to report developments as law enforcement provided updates.