'Subject in custody' in fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has been released, FBI Director Kash Patel says

UPDATE 9:15 p.m. ET: The AP posted on its live feed before 9 p.m. ET that "it wasn’t immediately clear whether anyone remained in custody, or if the shooter was still at large as law enforcement provided evolving and difficult-to-reconcile information."

But just minutes ago the outlet said "authorities are seeking a new person of interest in Kirk’s assassination." The AP attributed its new information to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.

In addition, the outlet said the Utah Department of Public Safety "has also confirmed no one is currently in custody in the investigation into Kirk’s killing."

UPDATE 8:39 p.m. ET: FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X Wednesday night that "the subject in custody" in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk "has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."

About 90 minutes earlier Patel posted on X that "the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody."

UPDATE 7:28 p.m. ET: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a “person of interest” is in custody this evening though no charges were immediately announced, the Associated Press reported.

Utah authorities said at a news briefing that the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a roof on campus some distance away, the AP added.

Blaze News revised its previous headline and below reference to FBI Director Kash Patel in regard to a suspect in custody; the headline now reads "person of interest" and the previous update now reads "subject."

A single AP headline posted around 6:30 p.m. ET in the live update feed reads "Person suspected in fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk now in custody, FBI director says." The AP also noted in a summary at the top of its live update piece that "a person suspected in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk is now in custody, according to a social media post from FBI Director Kash Patel."

UPDATE 6:35 p.m. ET: FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X Wednesday evening that a subject is now in custody after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk earlier in the day on a college campus in Utah.

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

UPDATE 5 p.m. ET: Blaze News has confirmed through multiple sources that Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was murdered Wednesday on a college campus in Utah.

Scott Trotter, a spokesman for Utah Valley University, released a statement saying the suspect is not yet in custody, Deseret News reported: “On September 10, 2025, at 12:20 a single shot rang out in the quad near the food court on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus as Mr. Charlie Kirk began speaking at his planned rally. We can confirm that Mr. Kirk was shot, but we don’t know his condition. The suspect is not in custody. Police are still investigating. Campus is closed for the rest of the day.”

Blaze News changed the headline of this initial report to reflect new information about the suspect as well as Kirk's death.

UPDATE 4:17 p.m. ET: The New York Times, citing Scott Trotter, a university spokesman, reported that police determined that a person who was taken into custody after the shooting was not actually the shooter.

Blaze News has removed from its original report an X post and references to it showing a video of a man kneeling on the ground who was believed to be the shooter.

UPDATE 3:49 p.m. ET: Deseret News now reports that initially it was believed a shooter was in custody, but the outlet just updated its story saying that a first responder indicated officials aren't sure they have the shooter and that the suspect may still be at large.

---

A suspect is in custody after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Deseret News reported.

The outlet said bystanders reported seeing Kirk shot near his neck during a Q&A with students.

Deseret News cited a UVU alert to students that indicated a suspect is in custody. The outlet added that the campus has been evacuated.

"A single shot was fired on campus toward a visiting speaker. Police are investigating now, suspect in custody," the alert reads, according to Deseret.

The suspect's name wasn't immediately released, the outlet added.

Blaze News has reached out to campus communications and police in Orem for additional information.

This is a breaking news story; updates will be added.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!