The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: A Timeline of the Shooting, Investigation, and Social Media Leads

By Caveman In politics

Posted on September 18, 2025 by [Your Name or Site Admin] | Category: Breaking News, Politics

On September 10, 2025, the American political landscape was shattered when Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative activist, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah. Described by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as a “political assassination,” the incident has sparked widespread outrage, a massive FBI investigation, and intense scrutiny of online activity hinting at foreknowledge. As the nation grapples with rising political violence, this article compiles a detailed timeline, key findings, and emerging leads from social media—drawing from official reports and public records.

The Incident: What Happened on September 10

Charlie Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” kicked off at UVU with an outdoor event drawing around 3,000 attendees. The speech, focused on conservative youth mobilization, began at noon in the campus quad under a branded tent. Kirk, known for his fiery defenses of Trump-era policies and critiques of “woke” culture, was fielding questions when disaster struck.

• 11:52 AM MDT: The suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, arrived on campus and ascended to the rooftop of the nearby Losee Center via a stairwell, blending in as a “college-aged” individual.
• 12:20 PM MDT: A single gunshot rang out from the rooftop, approximately 130 meters away. The bullet struck Kirk in the neck. Video footage captured the chaos: Kirk collapsing, Secret Service agents shielding him, and the crowd scattering as he was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital.
• 1:03 PM MDT: Kirk was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife, Erika Kirk, later vowed to continue Turning Point USA events in his honor.

The shooting echoed recent political violence, including 2024 attempts on Donald Trump and the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. President Trump ordered U.S. flags at half-staff and announced plans to award Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Manhunt and Arrest: FBI’s Swift Action

Authorities launched an immediate manhunt, with the FBI offering a $100,000 reward for tips. Key evidence emerged quickly:

Evidence Collected	Details
Weapon	A scoped Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield (~7.62mm), wrapped in a towel and discarded in nearby woods. Bullets were inscribed with anti-fascist messages and internet memes.
Forensic Traces	Palm print, forearm impression, shoe prints, and DNA on the towel linking to Robinson.
Video Footage	Campus surveillance showed the suspect arriving, positioning on the roof, firing, jumping down, and fleeing into a neighborhood. Doorbell cameras in the area provided additional leads.
Timeline Post-Shooting	Suspect fled at 12:23 PM, entered woods, then a residential area. Last sighting: 800 W near campus.

Robinson, unaffiliated with any political party per Utah voting records, turned himself in on September 11 at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, accompanied by his parents and a family friend—fearing he’d be shot by police. His mother had identified him from FBI-released photos aired on news outlets. He was arrested on September 13 after a DNA match.

Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder on seven counts, including aggravated murder, and intend to seek the death penalty. A note found under his keyboard, texted to his roommate post-shooting, read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I’m going to take it.” Robinson’s motive appears tied to anti-conservative ideology, particularly Kirk’s views on transgender issues and Ukraine. He allegedly confessed in a Discord group of 20-30 members: “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” His roommate (male-to-female transgender) is cooperating as a witness.

FBI Director Kash Patel, testifying before Congress on September 15-16, revealed over 200 interviews and 7,000 tips, emphasizing: “We’re running out every lead… questioning anyone in Discord chats or social media groups with suspicious timing.”

Motive and Broader Context

Robinson’s texts to his roommate post-shooting begged silence: “Drop what you are doing, look under my keyboard.” The rifle belonged to his grandfather, who inquired about its whereabouts. No foreign ties or “trans terror cell” (rumored online) were confirmed, though Patel warned of “a lot more” than 20 in Robinson’s circle.

The assassination follows a surge in U.S. political attacks: June 2025 Minnesota legislator shootings, May 2025 Israeli embassy killings in D.C., and April 2025 arson on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home. Kirk himself warned of violence at a June 2025 Kentucky event. Conspiracy theories proliferated, including unsubstantiated claims of Israeli involvement resurfaced by Infowars.

Public reaction was visceral. Vigils drew thousands, with Fox News airing a primetime special, Charlie Kirk: An American Original. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Kirk as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel.” Barack Obama prayed for the family, while RFK Jr. decried a “bullet silencing the most eloquent truth teller.”

Social Media Leads: Foreknowledge and Gloating

The FBI’s probe extended to X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, uncovering posts suggesting advance knowledge. Over 20 accounts, including those in Robinson’s Discord, are under subpoena for IP logs and connections. Here’s a curated timeline of suspicious activity:

• September 9: @NajraGalvz posted: “Charlie Kirk is coming to my college tomorrow i rly hope someone evaporates him literally.” Follow-up: “Lets just say something big will happen tomorrow” with a grinning dog GIF.
• September 10 (Pre-Shooting): A TikTok warned: “Charles James Kirk, mr college dropout does NOT know what’s coming tomorrow. Be ready… this isn’t a threat it’s a promise” with blue hearts.
• September 10 (Post-Shooting): @fujoshishincel teased: “You guys… I have something BIG coming soon. Just be sure to check the news, you’ll know it when you see it 😊.” Later: “Well that’s that.” Reply: “Another Chud Bites The Dust” (“Chud” as slang for conservatives; possibly a typo/meme for “Chur” re: Charlie).
• September 16: @churbum75m celebrated: “WE FUCKING DID IT” quoting @PopBase’s false claim of Trump announcing Kirk’s death at 31 from a shooting.
• September 18: @churbum75m posted a crude TikTok meme: POV of Kirk watching his wife “getting cracked by a homeless junkie in hell,” set to Playboi Carti music.

The @churbum75m handle (ID: 1789879294203682817) stands out. Created mid-2025, bio: “i am chur bum | private acc @bigmac75Mprivat #FreeSamulige | no dni | I love u| blocks freely.” “Chur” ≈ Charlie; “bum” ≈ shot/ass; “75m” ≈ exaggerated 7.5mm caliber of the rifle. The user (claiming to be a 15-year-old boy) denies ties to Robinson but followed his roommate. Archived posts show ~20 deleted hints from September 9-10, including “I plead the fifth.” FBI flagged it as a “lead” on September 14; the account remains active with 206 followers.

These posts, per FBI analysis, indicate a “network of online agitators” reveling in the violence. Patel: “Some praised the hit online, prompting State Dept. warnings to foreigners glorifying it.”

Suspicious Account	Key Post	Potential Code
@churbum75m	“WE FUCKING DID IT” (Sep 16)	Username: “Chur-bum-75m” (Charlie-shot-7.5mm)
@fujoshishincel	“Another Chud Bites The Dust” (Sep 15)	“Chud” ≈ “Chur” (Charlie) + Queen reference
@NajraGalvz	“Evaporates him literally” (Sep 9)	Direct threat at UVU event

Aftermath and Reactions

Erika Kirk addressed 500,000+ live viewers, vowing resilience. Memorials sprouted nationwide, from UVU’s quad to Illinois parks. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced backlash for blaming “MAGA gang” rhetoric, leading ABC to suspend his show indefinitely on September 17.

As Robinson’s waiver hearing looms on September 29, questions persist: Was this lone-wolf or coordinated? The FBI urges tips at tips.fbi.gov. Kirk’s death, per Netanyahu, amplified his voice “bigger than ever.” In a polarized America, it underscores the fragility of discourse.

What do you think—foreknowledge or coincidence? Share in the comments. For updates, subscribe below.

Sources: Compiled from FBI briefings, court documents, and public records as of September 18, 2025.