Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday dismissed online conspiracy theories blaming Israel for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling the allegations "insane" and warning that they reflected anti-Jewish hatred.
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking at an outdoor “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday evening and was later pronounced dead at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. The event, part of Kirk’s organisation Turning Point USA’s "American Comeback" tour, drew approximately 3,000 students and supporters. Security rushed Kirk from the stage after a single gunshot rang out roughly 20 minutes into the session.
Video shared by law enforcement and witnesses showed a person described by authorities as a suspect running across a rooftop near the venue immediately after the shooting. Local and federal investigators have said the suspect appears to be a college-aged male with a high level of proficiency in handling firearms and likely familiarity with the campus. The suspect remained at large on Friday as a nationwide manhunt continued.
Authorities said they had received more than 7,000 tips from the public and were following up leads. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said investigators had "good video footage" that they were using to trace the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting and pledged: "We are investing everything we have into this and we will catch this individual." Earlier in the investigation three police sources told CBS News they believed they had identified a person of interest; that lead was later deemed unsuccessful.
A $100,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the identification of the shooter, and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman announced he would add $1 million to the FBI’s reward fund. The FBI has asked the public to rely on official updates and refrain from sharing unverified information.
Within minutes of news of Kirk’s death circulating online, dozens of social media posts and videos speculated about the shooter’s identity and motives. Some posts blamed Israel and the Mossad for the killing. On Newsmax, Netanyahu called such claims "absurd" and said they promoted anti-Jewish hatred. Speaking sarcastically, he added: "That's insane. Israel also changes the orbit of the moon, Israel pushes the sun." He traced antisemitic conspiracies through history, including medieval libels and Nazi propaganda, and warned that such vilification has led to escalating violence in the past.
Investigators have not publicly linked any foreign government or intelligence service to the attack. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly urged the public and media to rely on verified evidence and official statements rather than social media speculation.
Online theories examined by users and commentators included an alleged aircraft that temporarily disappeared from public tracking data, a clip interpreted by some as two men giving hand signals immediately before the shot, and a graphic video in which some users suggested the injury resembled an internal explosion rather than a gunshot. Authorities said no evidence has supported those claims and warned that rapid dissemination of unverified footage and theories can hinder investigations.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that promotes conservative values on college campuses, and is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and two young children. The FBI and local police continue to canvass the university and surrounding areas, collect and analyse video footage, and ask anyone with information to contact investigators. The search remains active and the investigation ongoing, with officials urging patience as they piece together the sequence of events and pursue credible leads.