Two people who were arrested and later released in relation to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk have "no current ties" to the fatal incident, according to Utah authorities.

"This shooting is still an active investigation," Utah's Department of Public Safety - which covers law enforcement in the state - has said in an update.

The incident was a "targeted attack," the department says, with the suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot from the roof of a building to the courtyard where Kirk was addressing a large crowd.

About 3,000 people were at the event which was held in the university quad, an outdoor bowl courtyard.

The university had provided six security officers for the talk, in addition to Kirk's private security detail.

A manhunt for the shooter is still ongoing.

Image source, Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr is among those mourning Kirk.

"Once again, a bullet has silenced the most eloquent truth teller of an era," wrote Kennedy, whose father, US senator Robert F Kennedy, was assassinated while campaigning for president in 1968

His uncle John F Kennedy (JFK) was also assassinated during his time as the 35th US president.

"My dear friend Charlie Kirk was our country's relentless and courageous crusader for free speech. We pray for Erika and the children. Charlie is already in paradise with the angels. We ask his prayers for our country," said Kennedy.

His cousin, Jack Schlossberg, a commentator on the other side of the political spectrum, has also spoken out.

"Charlie Kirk was assassinated today. We are all weaker because of it. A tragedy. I am thinking of his family," wrote Schlossberg.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2012, at the age of 18, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA, a right-wing political organisation that aims to spread conservative ideals in US colleges.

Turning Point USA's mission, according to its website, is to "promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government".

But what started off as a college conservatism activism group has since become a "right-wing influencer network", technology reporter Taylor Lorenz told the BBC earlier in a TV interview.

And Charlie Kirk, its founder, became "one of the most powerful voices in the young right-wing conservative movement", she said.

The organisation now has chapters in more than 850 colleges and holds regular public events.

Its content, especially its podcasts, has been widely credited for getting young people to vote for Donald Trump during the 2024 election.

And Trump recognises the importance of the organisation to his popularity: last year, he gave a speech at a Turning Point conference in Arizona.

Kirk's shooting hits hard after Trump assassination attemptpublished at 03:13 BST 11 September

03:13 BST 11 September

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

Even though Charlie Kirk didn't have a formal position in the White House, he was someone who was extremely influential and had very close ties with the Trump family.

His Turning Point organisation had very close links with the Trump presidential campaign, as Kirk was able to deliver a conservative message to young voters.

Kirk's podcast platform with its millions of followers has been credited by the Republican Party as being one of the key factors that led to Trump's win in the election.

Kirk's shooting hits especially hard as Trump survived an assassination attempt in July last year.

When Trump speaks of that incident, he is quite reflective. In the coming days we will see Trump reaching out to Kirk's family now that he has passed away.

Trump was scheduled to have hold a dinner on the Rose Garden patio but it's unclear if that's still happening.

Image source, Getty Images

For our audiences in Asia who are at the start of their day, here is recap of the fatal shooting of conservative youth influencer Charlie Kirk in the US:

• Kirk - an influential ally of Donald Trump - was speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University when he was shot once in the neck - the 31-year-old was taken to hospital but died a short while later
• Campus officials arrested a suspect who was later released after questioning. Shortly after, the FBI arrested a "subject", but they were also later released
• A door-to-door manhunt for the shooter is underway

• In a video post, US President Donald Trump says he's "filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk"
• Kirk - who founded conservative group Turning Point USA when he was 18 - was a patriot and his death was a "dark moment for America," Trump said
• No one else was shot at the event which was attended by hundreds of students who fled when the gunshot rang out

• Utah's governor described the shooting as a "political assassination" and called for Americans to stop "hating" each other
• Kirk's death marks a dramatic escalation in rising US political violence
• Our colleagues at BBC Verify have analysed video footage which has been claimed to show a "shooter" on the roof of a building at the campus where Kirk was killed

• Update, 11 September: An earlier version of this post said Kirk's wife and children were on the university campus. In fact this is unclear.

Regan Morris
Reporting from Orem, Utah

I've arrived at the campus where the shooting took place, as the police manhunt for the sniper intensifies.

Two suspects have been arrested and then released, including one man who has been charged with obstruction of justice. It's unclear whether they had any link to the attack.

In the area around the campus, police are going door-to-door, still searching for Kirk's killer.

Journalists had been led by authorities to believe that suspects were in custody - however this is not the case.

Outside the campus, I've been speaking to event attendees who have been unable to re-enter to retrieve their vehicles or possessions they left behind when they fled.

The campus is locked down, and heavily-armed police are roaming the area, barring anyone from coming inside.

A Republican congressman says violence has not silenced Charlie Kirk's voice and the conservative activist will continue to be heard.

"The violence will not silence the American people," Mike Kelly tells the BBC. "Violence did not silence Charlie Kirk's voice, and he will continue to be heard and registered."

He adds Kirk never promoted violence and was always willing to engage with the public.

"So the fact that a person like this would be taken in such a fashion is a reflection of the cold-hearted, monstrous behaviour of some people," Kelly says.

Intimidation and violence don't work against American citizens, he says, and "we'll continue to move forward with our constitutional privilege of freedom of speech and promoting that as Charlie did throughout his whole life".

Thousands attended the outdoor event where Kirk was shot. Here's what they remember of the moment:

Here's more from Trump's video statement. He said his administration would "find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity and to other political violence".

Trump said "radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people". He cited the assassination attempt against him and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year.

Trump has stirred controversy for regularly blaming the "radical left" for the country's deepening political divisions - with critics arguing that his rhetoric has incited violence against his political opponents.

In a video message posted on Truth Social, Trump said he was "filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk".

"Charlie inspired millions and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror. Charlie is a patriot who devoted his life to the cause of open debate and the country that he loves so much, the United States of America," the US president said.

"He's a model for truth and freedom, and there's never been anyone who was so respected by youth."

"Charlie was also a man of deep, deep faith. And we take comfort in the knowledge that he is now at peace with God in heaven," Trump said, adding that he asked God to watch over Kirk's wife and children "in this terrible hour of heartache and pain".

"This is a dark moment for America," Trump continued.

More than 3,000 people were attending the outdoor event when Kirk was shot.

Witnesses are continuing to come forward, describing lax security measures, the trauma of witnessing Kirk bleed on stage, and the chaotic aftermath as the crowd began to flee in terror.

"It's a little surreal. Especially then. It felt like a dream," a first-year student named Gavin told CBS News, external, the BBC's US partner.

"Everyone started praying... Then, we started running."

A high school senior who was attending the class to earn extra credit called the scene "insane".

"Everybody just started running and screaming," said the student, identified as Sam. "Girls were crying. It was insane."

Deseret News, external reporters Emma Pitts and Eva Terry described witnessing the attack.

“I’ll never get the image out of my head,” Pitts said. “It looked like a fountain of blood came out of his neck. His body went limp and then his eyes closed.”

She added that she was surprised that "nobody scanned our equipment, nobody scanned our bags, there was no security like that.”

Image source, Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University says its campus in Orem, Utah, will remain closed through the weekend in the wake of the fatal shooting there earlier today.

"UVU campuses will be closed from September 11-14. All classes (in-person or virtual), campus events, and administrative operations will be suspended during this time. Please plan accordingly and make any necessary adjustments to your schedules."

The university's website now loads with a red-banner alert that notifies students of the campus closure between 11 September to 14 September.

"On behalf of Utah Valley University, we are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk, a guest to our campus. Our hearts go out to his family," the university said in a statement.

The latest outburst of American political violence - with no end in sightpublished at 01:39 BST 11 September

01:39 BST 11 September

Mike Wendling
BBC News

Across the board, politicians of all stripes have come out to condemn Charlie Kirk's killing - the latest in a string of violent attacks against political leaders.

But if the pattern of recent history holds, any united front will end, and soon.

Already on social media, despite the present lack of details and developing situation, there are angry fingers being pointed and calls for revenge, along with tasteless celebrations of Kirk's death.

There are familiar patterns after events like these. Hard-core partisans leap to blame their opponents, while dismissing the idea that their side could be culpable for other violent acts.

And conspiracy theories are routinely concocted to explain away shocking outbursts or mass shootings.

Despite repeated calls after events like this to tone down the rhetoric - including after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last year, and the killing of Minnesota's top Democratic legislator in June - political leaders including the president himself have never failed to turn the heat right back up again.

The US is not, as some of the more dire prognosticators say, on the verge of mass political violence or civil war.

But neither is there a cohesive effort by the majority of Americans who reject political violence to fully shun fringe extremists, regardless of where they line up politically.

If that recent historical pattern holds, the coming days will be filled not with quiet reflection or serious discussion about how to keep the peace - but with angry words, calls for retribution, and eventually, more violence.

Image source, Getty Images

Former US presidents have sent their condolences to Kirk's family and voiced their disapproval of the violence surrounding his death.

"Today, a young man was murdered in cold blood while expressing his political views," George W Bush, the country's 43rd president, says in a statement to BBC News.

"It happened on a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be sacrosanct. Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens. May God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God guide America toward civility."

In a post on X, Bush's predecessor Bill Clinton said he was "saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk's murder".

"And I hope we all go through some serious introspection and redouble our efforts to engage in debate passionately, yet peacefully. Hillary and I are keeping Erika, their two young children, and their family in our prayers."

Bush's successor, Barack Obama also wrote on X that he and his wife Michelle would be "praying for Charlie's family tonight".

"We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy," he wrote.

"There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now," 46th President Joe Biden wrote on X. "Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones."

FBI director Kash Patel has just said a previously detained "subject" in the Charlie Kirk shooting has been released.

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

There has been confusion about exactly who has been arrested.

Earlier, Patel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox said a suspect was in custody - although another official, Beau Mason, said the suspect was at large.

Jake Horton
BBC Verify

BBC Verify has been examining a video posted on social media, which people are claiming may show a "shooter" on the roof of a building at Utah Valley University (UVU) where Charlie Kirk was shot dead.

At a briefing this evening, law enforcement officials said that they were studying CCTV from the university and believe the suspect was "dressed in dark clothing" and that the shot "came from a roof".

One post on X says: "Just got sent this video from UVU.... it appears the shooter was on the roof" and shows a video which zooms in to a university building with what appears to be a dark shape on the roof.

We zoomed in on the image but the quality is too poor to make out what it is.

We used the features of the building shown to locate it to the Losee Center – a building at UVU which a university spokesperson is reported to have identified as the place where the shot came from.

We estimate that this was about 150 yards from where Kirk was sitting when he was shot.

The video was posted on X after the shooting. We cannot Verify when it was filmed and have asked the person who posted it for more details.

We have looked for prior versions of the footage online before today but cannot find any.

Kirk's death marks dramatic escalation in rising US political violencepublished at 00:33 BST 11 September

00:33 BST 11 September

Courtney Subramanian
Reporting from Washington DC

Charlie Kirk's death marks a dramatic escalation in rising political violence across the country in recent years. The shooting comes just months after a gunman entered the homes of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, killing one couple and injuring the other.

Between 2016 and 2025, there were 25 attacks and threats targeting elected officials, political candidates, judges and government employees that were motivated by partisan beliefs, according to the Center for Strategic International Studies. For comparison, only two such incidents were reported in the two previous decades.

The increase in partisan attacks spans the ideological spectrum but has done little to lower the temperature in political rhetoric. Security, too has become a key concern among elected officials.

In July 2024, President Donald Trump faced an assassination attempt during one of his campaign rallies. Only two months later, the Republican then-presidential candidate was the target of a second assassination attempt. The man accused of that attempt is on trial in Florida this week.

More recently, Trump ended Secret Service protection for former Vice-President Kamala Harris after her security detail had been quietly extended by former President Joe Biden. The move raised safety concerns among Harris's staff as she is about to appear in front of crowds for her upcoming book tour.

"We must speak with moral clarity," said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat whose home was attacked and set ablaze in April. "The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society,"

Image source, EPA

Apart from Keir Starmer, other world leaders have also shared their condolences.

Italy's Prime Minister Girogia Meloni: "An atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom. My condolences to his family, to his loved ones, and to the American conservative community."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "A lion-hearted friend of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization. I spoke to him only two weeks ago and invited him to Israel. Sadly, that visit will not take place. We lost an incredible human being."

President of Argentina Javier Milei: "My condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk and to all the young people in the world who admired him and listened to him. A formidable disseminator of the ideas of freedom and staunch defender of the West."

Image source, Reuters

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shared his condolences.

"My thoughts this evening are with the loved ones of Charlie Kirk. It is heartbreaking that a young family has been robbed of a father and a husband.

"We must all be free to debate openly and freely without fear - there can be no justification for political violence," he says.

We have one final bit of information to bring you from the news conference just now:

The police chief at Utah Valley University, Jeff Long, is asked about security on campus.

He says it was an open venue that was outside. There were six officers working the event and about 3,000 people attended event.

The event Kirk was speaking at was surrounded by buildings, he notes.

Long says officers train to prevent these things kinds of incidents, but "unfortunately they happen".

With that, this news conference has ended. Stick with us for more updates.