Chilling rooftop footage captured moments before and after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a Utah Valley University debate event.

In a harrowing event that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape, Charlie Kirk, the founder of conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon during a public debate at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah.

Disturbing new footage has surfaced that appears to show the assassin moving across a rooftop moments before and after the fatal shooting, adding a chilling dimension to an already tragic incident.

The shooting occurred around 4:15 p.m. local time on September 10, 2025, during Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” debate, a signature format where the conservative activist engaged directly with college students and community members challenging his views.

The event, part of Kirk’s American Comeback Tour, attracted a crowd of approximately 3,000 attendees gathered under a large tent on the UVU campus.

Eyewitnesses recount the sudden eruption of panic after a gunshot rang out, followed by people diving for cover amid screams and chaos.

Multiple videos recorded by attendees capture the moment Kirk slumps forward in his chair as blood pours from his neck, collapsing on stage.

Security personnel immediately rushed to his side, attempting emergency medical intervention before transporting him off campus to a nearby hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

What makes this shooting especially chilling are videos obtained from different angles on campus. One clip filmed inside a UVU building located behind the tent shows a small dark figure appearing on a rooftop across the quad, moments after the gunshot.

The figure moves quickly across the roof, seemingly evading attention as the crowd scatters below.

Another clip, taken earlier from the same rooftop, shows a figure lying prone, as bystanders nearby speculate on what they are witnessing. “There’s somebody on the roof right there,” one voice says in the footage.

“He just ran from over there, ran in, now he’s right there.” The suspect is described by dispatchers as wearing jeans, a black shirt, and a black vest, armed with a long rifle, and positioned on a building east of the university’s library.

Police and emergency responders swarmed the scene within minutes. Authorities have detained two individuals for questioning but later released both, having found no evidence linking them to the shooting. The suspect remains at large.

During the debate, Kirk was responding to a pointed question about mass shootings involving transgender individuals in America when the attack took place.

The irony of the timing has been noted by many commentators, highlighting the fraught and highly charged atmosphere surrounding debates on gender identity and violence.

Kirk, 32, rose to national prominence as a polarizing figure within conservative circles, known for his fiery rhetoric and confrontational style. He founded Turning Point USA in 2012 while still a teenager, growing the organization into a major force on college campuses nationwide.

His “Prove Me Wrong” debates became a hallmark of his activism, designed to engage younger audiences with conservative viewpoints in direct dialogue.

Offstage, Kirk’s personal life was equally high-profile. He was married to former Miss Arizona Erika Frantzve, with whom he had two young children. The couple frequently appeared together at public events, and Erika has been an outspoken supporter of his work.

Governor Kelsey Montoya of Utah expressed her condolences in a press briefing Thursday morning, calling the shooting “a tragedy for the entire state and the nation.”

She urged calm and patience as law enforcement continues the search for the suspect. “We must stand united against violence and uphold the right to free speech,” Montoya said.

President Donald Trump, a known ally and supporter of Kirk, issued a statement condemning the shooting as “a senseless attack on a courageous voice for American values.” He called for a “full and swift investigation” and promised federal resources to assist Utah authorities.

The incident has reignited a fierce debate over campus safety, political violence, and the increasingly hostile environment surrounding ideological divides in the United States.

Social media platforms have seen an explosion of commentary, with supporters mourning Kirk’s death and opponents condemning the atmosphere of political extremism.

Law enforcement officials continue to piece together the suspect’s identity and motive. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts suggest the shooter was prepared and premeditated, choosing a strategic rooftop vantage point that allowed for clear visibility of the stage and crowd.

UVU’s campus security director, James Harlow, spoke candidly about the challenges posed by the attacker’s elevated position. “This was a very difficult situation to control.

We have protocols for active shooters, but the rooftop angle complicated our response,” Harlow said. He assured the public that additional security measures would be implemented for future events.

Students and faculty at Utah Valley University expressed shock and grief. “Charlie was here to debate ideas, to challenge us,” said Emma Larsen, a sophomore attending the event. “To have it end like this is just heartbreaking.”

As the nation processes the ramifications of this tragedy, attention is turning to preventing similar incidents in the future.

Kirk’s death marks a grim reminder of the dangers faced by public figures engaged in contentious political discourse, and the urgent need for dialogue that does not escalate to violence.

The search for the shooter remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Meanwhile, memorial services for Charlie Kirk are being planned in both Utah and Washington, D.C., as friends, family, and supporters prepare to say their final goodbyes to a man who shaped a generation of conservative activism.

This tragic event will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on political engagement and campus safety protocols nationwide. As investigators work tirelessly to bring justice, the nation grapples with the consequences of an increasingly polarized and volatile public sphere.