Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday during an outdoor campus event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. The shooting occurred shortly after 12 p.m. local time while Kirk was hosting his “Prove Me Wrong” debate series, which encourages students to challenge his political and cultural views.

According to Utah’s Department of Public Safety, law enforcement has obtained “good video footage” of the suspect, though no identification has been made yet. The weapon, described as a high-powered, bolt-action rifle, was recovered at the scene. Authorities said the suspect arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. and fled after the shooting.

A university spokeswoman said investigators believe the fatal shot was fired from the roof of the Losee Center, roughly 400 feet from where Kirk was speaking. Verified video shows a person running across the roof moments after the gunfire. Dispatch audio described the individual as wearing a black tactical helmet, a black mask, and carrying a long gun. Investigators believe the shooter jumped from the roof and escaped into a nearby neighborhood.

President Donald Trump paid tribute to Kirk, calling him a “unique man” and a “martyr for truth and freedom.” Trump said he plans to speak with Kirk’s family and vowed accountability for the attack, which has drawn bipartisan condemnation as an unacceptable act of political violence.

The FBI has joined state and local authorities in the manhunt. Investigators continue to review surveillance footage and gather evidence. As the probe unfolds, the shooting has reignited national debate over political rhetoric, security at public events, and the rising threat of targeted violence in the United States.