University officials say the gunman fired from UVU’s Losee Center about 200 yards away; dispatch audio described him in all-black tactical gear

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action, speaks during a meeting on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson on October 17, 2024.

Credit : OLIVIER TOURON/AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Dispatch audio reviewed by PEOPLE described a person of interest in all-black with tactical gear and a black long gun. According to other transmissions, the person wore aviator glasses, a black bag, long pants and longer hair
University officials said the round was fired from UVU’s Losee Center about 200 yards from the event; Kirk was hit roughly 20 minutes after he began speaking
Authorities walked back an early claim that a suspect was in custody; later updates said no one was in custody. Kirk’s death was announced by Donald Trump on Truth Social

The person of interest who authorities believe killed Charlie Kirk was described in law enforcement dispatch audio as wearing all-black clothing and tactical gear, according to audio reviewed by PEOPLE.

The audio described a person in all-black — carrying a black long gun, wearing a black tactical helmet and mask, and possibly a tactical vest and jeans.

Other transmissions mentioned aviator-style glasses, a black bag, black long pants and longer hair.

Kirk was shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A university spokesperson said the fatal round was fired from the school’s Losee Center, roughly 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking, about twenty minutes after Kirk’s event began.

Authorities said at a press conference that a person of interest was taken into custody, and that the person was wearing all-black.

Charlie Kirk shot