Authorities said no suspect was in custody hours after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, and investigators urged caution amid confusing and evolving public statements about the case.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement that "this shooting is still an active investigation" and that it was working with the FBI, the Utah County Attorney's office, the Utah County Sheriff’s office and local police departments. The department said the shooting was "believed to be a targeted attack" and that "there is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter," adding that it could not provide further details "to protect the integrity of our investigation."
Kirk, 31, was shot while addressing a large outdoor crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, near Salt Lake City, at about 12:20 p.m. Mountain Time, officials said. State law enforcement officials described the attack as likely originating from the roof of a building and said the shooting was suspected to involve a single round.
Confusion emerged publicly as officials described different developments. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told a news conference that police were interviewing a "person of interest," while Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said the perpetrator remained "at large." FBI Director Kash Patel said an unnamed person had been detained for questioning and then released. "Our investigation continues," Patel wrote on social media.
The department said two suspects were taken in and later released. Investigators provided few further details, citing the need to preserve the ongoing inquiry. Law enforcement presence remained in the area as authorities canvassed for leads and reviewed evidence from the scene.
The shooting prompted a swift response from local and federal agencies. Officials urged the public to avoid speculation as the probe continued and said more information would be released as it became available. No additional casualties were reported in initial briefings.
The investigation aims to determine motive, confirm the number of shots fired and identify the shooter. Authorities reiterated that the case remains active and urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement. The evolving nature of the account and the release of individuals detained during early inquiries underscored the preliminary stage of the investigation and the care being taken to verify facts before public disclosure.