The Echo of “I Got Him”: Unraveling the Assassination of Charlie Kirk

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“I GOT HIM!”—a cold, calculated voice cut through the screams as Charlie Kirk fell, a bullet ending his life. Was this the chilling boast of the suspect lurking in the shadows? Time is running out to uncover the truth behind this horrifying act. Don’t wait—click to dig into the mystery shaking the nation. 👉

Charlie Kirk’s assassin remains at large after a person of interest previously was released from custody — marking the second individual to be detained and let go by police scrambling to find the conservative icon’s killer.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement,” FBI Director Kash Patel shockingly announced Wednesday evening.

Charlie Kirk family
Charlie Kirk was gunned down Wednesday during a college campus rally.X/@PassagePress
Charlie Kirk assassination
This map breaks down the area of the shooting.Falon / NY Post Design
A SWAT member stands in between first responders and law enforcement vehicles parked at Utah Valley University, where U.S. right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot during an event, in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025.
A SWAT member stands in between first responders and law enforcement vehicles parked at Utah Valley University, where Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event, in Orem, Utah, U.S., September 10, 2025.REUTERS
“Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel added.

Law enforcement’s stunning reversal comes not even two hours after Patel proclaimed in a tweet that Kirk’s killer had been captured – with law enforcement and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox holding a press conference moments later announcing security footage had led them to a person of interest.

The Post spoke to the mother of the now-exonerated person of interest, who said she was “super shaken” by the gruesome shooting he witnessed firsthand – and then by his subsequent detention, his frightened mother told The Post.

US and another flag at half-staff on a building.
The U.S. flag is lowered to half-staff at the Heritage Action For America foundation after Kirk was shot dead in Utah.REUTERS
Law enforcement officers outside a building.
Law enforcement officials prepare to sweep a building at Utah Valley University, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah.AP
Law enforcement officers outside a building.
Barack Obama posts on X after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed by an unknown assailant at Utah Valley University.X/@BarackObama

“He’s a great kid,” the mother said.

“I have a picture of him. He’s like 25-feet from Charlie on the other side that he was shot. He sent us a video.”

And the man was a Charlie Kirk fan, and had travelled to the Utah Valley Campus Wednesday – only to watch him violently murdered, and then be blamed for the it.

“He was attending like any other college kid. He listens to him,” the mother said.

People evacuating after a shooting at a Utah Valley University event.
People run away from the scene after the shooting at Utah Valley University.ZUMAPRESS.com
Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Utah Valley University Chief of Police Jeff Long at a press conference.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox addresses the media after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.AP
House Speaker Mike Johnson mourning Charlie Kirk.
House Speaker Mike Johnson holding a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed by an unknown assailant at Utah Valley University.C-SPAN

That person of interest was just the second detained and then released since the 31-year-old was gunned down on the Utah Valley University campus just after noon local time Wednesday.

The first — an older man seen with his pants around his ankles — was seen being dragged away by cops who told the screaming crowds that the man had confessed.

That individual was also later cleared – and means the person who murdered one of America’s most prominent conservative voices is in the wind.

On a crisp September afternoon in 2025, Utah Valley University became the stage for a tragedy that sent shockwaves across America. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative firebrand and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a campus event, an act Utah Governor Spencer Cox labeled a “political assassination.” As Kirk slumped in his chair, blood pouring from his neck, a haunting phrase reportedly pierced the chaos: “I Got Him.” Witnesses claimed to hear this strange voice, a fleeting yet chilling detail that has fueled speculation and unease. What did it mean? Who said it? And what does this moment reveal about the state of America today?

The Scene of the Crime

It was supposed to be a routine stop on Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” a series of campus events organized by Turning Point USA to rally conservative students and challenge what Kirk often called “left-wing indoctrination.” On September 10, 2025, about 3,000 people gathered in an outdoor amphitheater at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk, known for his combative style and “Prove Me Wrong” debates, was engaging with students during a Q&A session. The topic at hand was mass shootings—a grim irony given what was about to unfold.

According to eyewitnesses, Kirk was responding to a question about transgender individuals involved in mass shootings when a single shot rang out. Videos circulating online captured the moment: a loud crack, Kirk reaching for his neck, and then collapsing as blood gushed from the wound. The crowd erupted into panic, with some mistaking the sound for a firecracker or confetti cannon before realizing the gravity of the situation. People ducked, screamed, and fled, some knocking over barricades in their haste to find safety.

Amid the chaos, a few witnesses reported hearing a voice shout, “I Got Him.” The phrase, described as eerie and deliberate, added a layer of mystery to an already shocking event. Was it the shooter, reveling in their act? A bystander reacting to the moment? Or something else entirely? The lack of clarity has only deepened the intrigue surrounding Kirk’s death.

Who Was Charlie Kirk?

To understand why Kirk’s assassination resonates so deeply, we need to know the man himself. Born in 1993 in the Chicago suburbs, Charlie Kirk was a political prodigy. At 18, he co-founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization that grew into a powerhouse, with chapters at over 850 colleges and a knack for mobilizing young voters. Kirk’s charisma, amplified by his podcast, social media presence, and frequent cable news appearances, made him a polarizing figure. To his supporters, he was a fearless defender of free speech and traditional values; to his critics, his rhetoric often veered into inflammatory territory, including false claims about voter fraud and anti-trans sentiments.

Kirk’s proximity to former President Donald Trump made him a lightning rod. He advised Trump on cabinet picks, championed JD Vance as Trump’s running mate, and played a key role in rallying young conservatives for Trump’s 2024 campaign. His events, like the one at Utah Valley, often drew protests—nearly 1,000 students signed a petition to bar him from speaking at UVU, citing his views as contrary to the university’s values of inclusivity. Yet Kirk thrived on controversy, using it to fuel his mission.

The Investigation: A Murky Picture

The aftermath of the shooting was marked by confusion. Utah authorities initially reported a “person of interest” in custody, but FBI Director Kash Patel later clarified that the individual was released after interrogation. The shooter, believed to have fired from a roof or elevated position 100-200 yards away, remains at large. CCTV footage captured someone in dark clothing, but no clear description has emerged. The Utah Department of Public Safety called it a “targeted attack,” with a single shot aimed at Kirk, suggesting precision and intent.

The phrase “I Got Him” has become a focal point for investigators and armchair detectives alike. Was it a boastful declaration from the perpetrator, caught on video or overheard by the crowd? Or could it have been a misinterpretation in the chaos, perhaps a bystander’s exclamation? The lack of a suspect or motive leaves these questions unanswered, fueling speculation on social media and beyond.

A Nation on Edge

Kirk’s death is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling wave of political violence in the U.S. In recent years, the country has seen assassination attempts on Donald Trump, the killing of a Minnesota state lawmaker, and attacks on public figures across the ideological spectrum. The January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, followed by Trump’s pardoning of 1,600 individuals involved, marked a turning point where political violence became more normalized, according to some analysts. Kirk himself was a vocal defender of Trump’s narrative around that event, which only heightened his profile as a target.

The reaction to Kirk’s death was swift and bipartisan. Trump mourned him on Truth Social, calling him “Great, and even Legendary,” and ordered flags lowered to half-staff. Former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and others condemned the violence, urging reflection on the nation’s divisive rhetoric. Utah Senator Mike Lee called Kirk’s murder an “attack on champions of freedom,” while international figures like Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni praised his advocacy.

Yet, the bipartisan calls for unity feel fleeting. As one source noted, the U.S. lacks a cohesive effort to reject political violence, with leaders often returning to heated rhetoric soon after such tragedies. The phrase “I Got Him” has already been weaponized online, with some speculating it points to a politically motivated killer, while others dismiss it as a distraction from broader issues like gun control or campus security.

The Security Question

Witnesses and attendees have raised concerns about the event’s security. Despite the presence of six police officers and Kirk’s private security team, there were no metal detectors or bag checks, and the amphitheater’s open layout left vulnerabilities. One attendee noted “ledges and points” that seemed unsafe, while another described the setup as “preventable.” The university’s police chief, Jeff Long, admitted that despite training, “these things, unfortunately, they happen.” The lack of a suspect only amplifies questions about how such an attack could occur in a state often described as one of the safest in the nation.

The Phrase That Haunts

The reported cry of “I Got Him” lingers as a haunting footnote. Without a suspect or clear context, it’s impossible to confirm its significance. Some speculate it could be tied to the shooter’s motive—perhaps a personal vendetta or ideological statement. Others wonder if it was a misheard phrase in the panic, possibly a bystander’s reaction to seeing Kirk fall. The phrase’s ambiguity has made it a Rorschach test for a divided nation, with each side projecting its fears and biases onto it.

What’s Next?

As the investigation continues, Kirk’s death raises uncomfortable questions about America’s trajectory. His supporters see him as a martyr for free speech, while critics argue his provocative rhetoric contributed to the polarized climate. The truth likely lies in the messy middle: Kirk was a complex figure, both a product and a driver of the nation’s cultural fault lines.

The manhunt for the shooter goes on, with SWAT teams and federal agents combing through evidence. The phrase “I Got Him” may yet hold a clue—or it may fade into the noise of a nation grappling with its demons. For now, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly discourse can turn deadly.

For those seeking answers, the coming weeks will be critical. Will the shooter be caught? Will their motives clarify the phrase’s meaning? And can America find a way to step back from the brink? As one witness put it, crouching in fear as the shot rang out, “I just saw a guy die.” The nation, it seems, is still processing what it saw—and what it means for the future.