Did the FBI arrest Charlie Kirk’s shooter? Director Kash Patel shares update regarding conservative activist’s murder investigation

Right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk died in a shooting on Wednesday, September 10. He was at Utah Valley University for an event when he was reportedly shot in the neck.

The suspect, however, is still at large, as confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel. He stated that although they initially arrested someone, they released them after questioning. Therefore, the true identity of the shooter remains unknown. Kash Patel first posted on his X account Wednesday evening, saying:

FBI Director Kash Patel

@FBIDirectorKash

The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able.

He then quoted this tweet a few hours later and wrote:

FBI Director Kash Patel

@FBIDirectorKash

The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency

Charlie Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, his daughter, and his son.

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Witnesses share their perspectives after Charlie Kirk's death

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During his appearance at Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk discussed various topics, including gun violence. However, during his speech, he was shot, which caused widespread panic among the crowd.

People frantically ran around, panicking. Sara Tewell, who was sitting in the fourth row to the left of the stage, attended the event and told ABC News:

"Blood was gushing everywhere. A friend and I ran into a building and ran out and down the street just trying to get to safety."

Henry Dels, a local businessman, had asked Kirk a question about religion. He said that just seconds after Kirk answered, he was shot. Dels told ABC News:

"It happened less than a minute after I was talking to him. It seemed like a waterfall of blood was gushing out of him, it was gushing out of his neck and running down his shoulder and onto his left pec. I immediately knew he was going to die."

Another witness, Danielle, who said she was only 15 feet from Kirk, told ABC News' affiliate station KTVX:

"You just see his neck just, like, open up and there's just, like, so much blood that just came out. I was 15 feet away, and it was really hard to witness. I'm Iike, it's not safe to run. It's not safe to get up. 'Please, God, please God, please God, because I don't want to die.'"

Danielle is a student at Brigham Young University. Many other witnesses remembered feeling shock and panic during the incident.

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Martina Navratilova reacts to Charlie Kirk's death

Former World No. 1 tennis star Martina Navratilova has responded to Kirk's death, calling the act "abhorrent." She wrote on X:

Martina Navratilova

@Martina

Political violence is never ok. This is an abhorrent act from an abhorrent individual. It is a sad day in many ways as this kind of stuff is way too common….

Notably, the Czech-American has been a strong critic of Donald Trump and the far right. Navratilova and Trump were also seen together at the US Open earlier this month, but it's unclear if they interacted.

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