New Video Footage Reveals Gunman in Crowd Firing Shot That Killed Charlie Kirk, Followed by His Arrest

OREM, Utah — New video footage has surfaced showing the harrowing moments when Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The videos, recorded by attendees on cell phones and later verified by local authorities, offer the clearest look yet at the chaos of the scene — capturing both the moment the gunman fired and his subsequent arrest by police just minutes later.

The Shooting Caught on Camera

The first clip, widely shared on social media late Wednesday, shows Kirk addressing a packed audience in the university’s Losee Center courtyard. As Kirk pauses mid-sentence, a single gunshot rings out. The crowd gasps and ducks for cover as Kirk collapses to the stage, clutching his neck.

Contrary to early reports suggesting the shot came from a rooftop, the video appears to show a man standing within the crowd itself, raising a handgun and firing a single round before attempting to blend back into the panicked audience. The clarity of the video has stunned investigators and raised new questions about how the assailant managed to smuggle a firearm into the tightly controlled venue.

Witnesses can be heard screaming and rushing toward the exits as security personnel surround the fallen activist. “It all happened so fast. One second he was speaking, and the next he was on the ground,” said Maria Lopez, a student who attended the event. “I’ll never forget the sound of that gunshot.”

Arrest Captured in Second Video

A second video, recorded just minutes later in a nearby parking lot, shows the suspected gunman being wrestled to the ground by multiple police officers. The man, dressed in dark clothing and wearing aviator sunglasses, appears disoriented as officers pin his arms and confiscate a black semi-automatic pistol.

Shouts of “They got him!” erupt from bystanders, while others continue to cry or record the dramatic scene on their phones. The video ends with the suspect being handcuffed and escorted into a police vehicle as investigators begin cordoning off the area.

Local police later confirmed the arrest, but they have not yet released the suspect’s name or any potential motive. Authorities say the man is being held for questioning by a joint task force that includes the FBI, ATF, and campus security.

Confusion and Contradictory Early Reports

The release of these videos has already altered the narrative of Kirk’s assassination. Initial statements from university officials suggested the gunman fired from an elevated position overlooking the stage. However, the new footage points to a much closer-range attack.

Law enforcement sources, speaking on background, acknowledged the discrepancy and said investigators are reviewing “every second” of the video evidence to piece together an accurate timeline. “It is not uncommon in chaotic events for initial reports to conflict with later evidence,” one official said. “What matters is establishing beyond doubt who pulled the trigger and why.”

A Nation Reacts

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has shaken political circles across the spectrum. Former President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, condemned the attack as “an act of cowardice against a brave patriot” and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide. Democratic leaders also denounced the violence, emphasizing the need to prevent political disagreements from escalating into bloodshed.

The newly released footage has only deepened the emotional reaction. “Seeing it unfold on video makes the tragedy even more real,” said Senator Mike Lee of Utah. “We cannot allow political violence to become normalized.”

The Atmosphere at the Event

Those who attended the Utah Valley University event described a tense but enthusiastic crowd of several thousand, many of them students curious to hear Kirk speak. The event was billed as the opening stop of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour.”

Security had been tight, with bag checks and metal detectors in place, but attendees now question how the gunman entered armed. “We went through scanners, we had to empty our bags,” said attendee Jacob Peterson. “How did he get a gun in there? That’s what everyone wants to know.”

Officials have pledged a full review of security protocols, both at Utah Valley University and at future political events nationwide.

Broader Concerns About Political Violence

The killing of Charlie Kirk has reignited debate about the rise of political violence in the United States. Just months before, federal authorities had warned of an “elevated threat environment” surrounding the 2024 election cycle and its aftermath.

Experts warn that the normalization of violent rhetoric online, combined with the proliferation of firearms, creates conditions ripe for further attacks. “This isn’t just about one man,” said Dr. Elaine Carter, a political violence researcher at Stanford University. “It’s about whether the United States can prevent political disagreements from escalating into lethal confrontations.”

Remembering Charlie Kirk

While deeply controversial, Kirk was undeniably influential. Since founding Turning Point USA in 2012, he built it into one of the most prominent conservative youth organizations in the country, staging campus events, training conferences, and media campaigns aimed at shaping the political views of a new generation.

Friends and allies remember him as tireless and passionate, while critics accused him of fueling polarization. Now, in death, he has become a flashpoint for a national reckoning on violence, security, and the fragile state of American democracy.

Conclusion

The release of video evidence capturing both the fatal shot and the gunman’s swift arrest has brought new clarity — and new anguish — to an already devastating story. For many, the images will remain seared in memory: a young political figure struck down in his prime, and a crowd transformed in an instant from eager listeners to witnesses of tragedy.

As investigations continue and the nation mourns, the footage stands as both proof of what occurred and a haunting reminder of the fragile line between public discourse and deadly violence.