Suspect in UVU Shooting Arrested, Victim Remembered
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting of conservative political commentator Chad Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU) on Wednesday. The suspect has been identified as a current electrical apprenticeship student who previously attended UVU on an academic scholarship.
Investigators identified a gray Dodge Challenger, matching the vehicle seen in surveillance footage of the suspect driving to the university on the day of the shooting, as belonging to the individual. The FBI released photos of the vehicle and the suspect, leading the suspect’s father to urge him to surrender. Initially resistant, the suspect ultimately agreed to turn himself in, facilitated by his father contacting their youth pastor, who has connections with the U.S. Marshals Service.
The suspect was admitted to Utah State University in 2021 on a scholarship, as evidenced by a video posted to a family member’s social media account, but only attended for one semester. He is currently enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College near St. George,Utah,and is registered as an unaffiliated voter with no prior criminal record. His listed address remains his parents’ home, located approximately 3.5 hours south of the UVU campus.Attempts to reach family members for comment were unsuccessful, and it is currently unknown if the suspect has retained legal counsel.
Law enforcement maintained a meaningful presence at the suspect’s family home, with the driveway blocked and windows covered.
Kirk’s Legacy and the Shooting’s Aftermath
Chad Kirk, co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was on the first stop of his “American comeback Tour” at UVU, engaging in a debate on social issues when he was shot. He was responding to a question about gun violence when the incident occurred, suffering a fatal wound to the neck.
The arrest has brought a sense of relief to the UVU community.”There’s been this like really heavy, dark weight pressed over my heart and soul for the last two days, and waking up to the news of the shooter being captured today, it is indeed a great thing,” said Creighton baird, a witness to the shooting.
UVU is scheduled to resume classes on Wednesday with increased security measures. Students will be able to retrieve belongings left at the scene of the shooting early next week.
Former President Donald Trump, joined by democrats in condemning the violence, announced his intention to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, transported Kirk’s casket to his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two on Thursday.
“He wanted to help young people,and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump stated. “He was really a good person.”
Contributors: Tucker and Richer (Washington), Nicholas Riccardi (Denver), Michael biesecker, Brian Slodysko, Lindsay Whitehurst, and Michelle L. Price (Washington), ty ONeil (St. George, Utah), Hallie Golden (Seattle), and meg Kinnard (Chapin, South Carolina).