INTERNATIONAL NEWS - On 10 September, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
The 31-year-old was shot once in the neck from approximately 200 yards away while participating in a Q&A session under a tent.
Witnesses described chaos as students fled, and Kirk was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The manhunt for the sniper intensified immediately, with the FBI offering a $100 000 reward. Surveillance footage captured a suspect fleeing from a rooftop sniper's nest, leaping to safety, and sprinting into a neighbourhood.
Investigators recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel from a wooded drop point, along with bullet casings engraved with lyrics from the Italian folk song "Bella Ciao" and other messages.
Forensic evidence, including palm prints, footprints, and forearm imprints, linked the scene to the perpetrator.On 12 September, authorities announced the arrest of 22-year-old Utah resident Tyler Robinson in St. George, about 250 miles southwest of the campus. Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that Robinson, who briefly attended Utah State University in 2021, was turned in by his family after confessing to a relative.
A family member recalled Robinson expressing disdain for Kirk's views during a recent dinner, noting his growing political radicalisation.
Discord messages with his roommate detailed plans to retrieve the rifle and engraved bullets.
Cox confirmed Robinson acted alone, based on surveillance showing him arriving in a gray Dodge Challenger hours before the shooting.
President Donald Trump praised the capture, crediting tips from Robinson's father via a clergy contact and urged against further political violence while planning to attend Kirk's funeral in Phoenix.
The assassination has sparked national outrage, with leaders across the aisle condemning it as a stark reminder of rising extremism.
Article compiled with the help of Grok on X.com.
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