A large-scale manhunt is underway in Utah after the assassination of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in the neck by a single bullet during a debate event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Hours after the shooting, the gunman remains at large. Armed police officers swept door-to-door across the campus, showing bystanders an image of a person of interest.

According to authorities, the assassin fired from the rooftop of a nearby university building, at a distance of approximately 137 meters. Footage from the scene shows a suspect running across the roof moments after the gunfire, while the crowd ducked for cover. In another video, a person is seen lying on the roof before the shot was fired, believed to be the shooter.

Two suspects were initially detained overnight but later released after it was determined they were not connected to the attack. A third suspect is now the subject of the ongoing manhunt. Law enforcement experts assessed that the killer acted as a highly skilled sniper, describing the attack as methodical and carefully executed.

The shooting occurred at 12:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday, about 20 minutes into Kirk’s remarks. Video from the event shows Kirk addressing the audience when the bullet struck his neck. He briefly touched the wound before collapsing, as students screamed and fled. Only one shot was fired.

American media reports have raised questions about the security arrangements. Despite roughly 3,000 people in attendance, only six police officers were present, supplemented by Kirk’s private security. Witnesses said there were no bag checks at the entrance.

Emma Pitts, a local reporter present at the debate, described the horrific moment: 'It looked as if a fountain of blood came from his neck. His body went limp and his eyes closed.' Gavin, a first-year student, told reporters, 'It felt surreal. Everyone started praying and then running.'

Kirk, aged 31, leaves behind his wife and two young children. He was founder and chief executive of the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, which grew into a powerful network with hundreds of chapters, tens of thousands of activists, and multimillion-dollar funding from leading conservative donors. He hosted a daily podcast and radio show, appeared frequently on campuses and at conferences, and was considered one of the most influential conservative voices among American youth.

Kirk played a pivotal role in mobilizing young voters for President Donald Trump, contributing to a surge in youth support that reached 46 percent in the last election, up 10 points from 2020. Trump had praised Kirk in the past for building what he called 'an army of young people.' On Wednesday night, the President addressed the nation from the Oval Office: 'No one ever earned such respect from young people as Charlie did. He was a man of deep faith. We take comfort knowing he is now in heaven, and we pray for his beloved wife Erica and their two little children. We ask God to watch over them in this terrible hour.'

The debate event at Utah Valley University, organized by Kirk’s own movement, featured banners such as 'The American Comeback' and 'Prove Me Wrong.' Kirk was known for his love of open debates, often challenging ideological opponents to confront him directly. He also frequently expressed strong pro-Israel views and defended Israel amid criticism during the Gaza war.

Just moments before his death, Kirk was answering a question from an audience member about mass shootings in America. As he responded, a single shot rang out, and chaos followed.

The murder comes amid a wave of political violence in the United States, including the killing of a Minnesota legislator and her husband in June, a Molotov cocktail attack on a march in Colorado in support of Israeli hostages, and the arson of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home. Last year, President Trump himself survived two assassination attempts, including one at a Pennsylvania rally where he was wounded in the ear.

Kirk had repeatedly warned about escalating political violence. In April, he posted a message on social media describing the radical left as a 'ticking time bomb,' citing polls suggesting alarming support among liberals for political assassinations. That post has since gone viral.

In his Oval Office address, President Trump directly blamed the 'radical left' for fostering a culture of hatred: 'This is a dark moment for America. His mission was to connect young people to politics, and he did it better than anyone. Violence and murder are the tragic result of demonizing those you disagree with, day after day, year after year. Radical leftists are directly responsible for the terror we see today. It must end now.'

The killing has sent shockwaves across the nation. Memorial events were held overnight, and statements of grief and condemnation poured in from across the political spectrum, including all living U.S. presidents. Donald Trump Jr. wrote, 'Love you brother. You gave so many the courage to speak out. They will never silence us.' Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote, 'Once again, a bullet has silenced the most articulate truth-teller of our time. My dear friend Charlie Kirk was a fierce and uncompromising warrior for free speech.'

Prominent Democrats also expressed sorrow. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had recently appeared on Kirk’s podcast, said: 'The murder of Charlie Kirk is sickening and disgraceful. His senseless death is a reminder of how important it is to embrace real dialogue across the political spectrum without resorting to violence.'

The depth of national shock was underscored when Time magazine rushed to release a special cover featuring an image from the moment of the shooting, splashed in red with the headline 'Enough.' The editors warned that Kirk’s assassination could become not just a tragedy but a dangerous turning point, accelerating political extremism in America.