1. Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA founder, shot dead at 31 on college campus2. Trump vows accountability after 'heinous act' claims Charlie Kirk's life in Utah3. NYPD mourns fallen first responders on 24th anniversary of 9/11 attacksPOLITICAL TRAGEDY Utah authorities update manhunt after fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. Continue reading 'A TRUE FRIEND' JD Vance pens heartfelt tribute to Charlie Kirk after assassination: You ran a good race, my friend.' Continue reading INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING 'Deep wound for democracy': World leaders mourn death of Charlie Kirk. Continue reading STRIKING BACK Hegseth makes homeland security top mission in first interview as secretary of war. Continue reading SCHOOL TERROR Colorado governor 'praying for the victims' as teens critically injured in school shooting. Continue reading --COMING TOGETHER Dems, GOP lawmakers join forces to condemn political violence after Charlie Kirk shot. Continue reading TRUTH EMERGES 9/11 families celebrate 'historic, landmark decision' in long-running Saudi Arabia lawsuit. Continue reading SWIFT RETRIBUTION Pam Bondi says death penalty a possibility for Iryna Zarutska killer. Continue reading SEE YOU IN COURT 'This ruling is not the final word:' Trump appeals order blocking him from firing Fed governor Cook. Continue reading Click here for more cartoonsFORCE OF NATURE Charlie Kirk rose to become conservative powerhouse, transformative campus figure. Continue reading ON-AIR CLASH Charlotte train stabbing sparks fiery debate among CNN panel over crime, justice system. Continue reading TRUTH COMES OUT MSNBC corrects contractor's false claim that Israeli forces killed Gaza boy during aid distribution. Continue reading 'HATEFUL' BACKFIRE MSNBC fires analyst Matthew Dowd for 'unacceptable' comments about Charlie Kirk. Continue reading TED JENKIN Progressive cities face billions in economic losses as retail crime surges 93% since 2019. Continue reading DAVID MARCUS Progressive madness killed Charlie Kirk, a once-in-a-generation leader. Continue reading --FRIENDSHIP SHATTERED Rosie O'Donnell says she 'felt betrayed' by Ellen DeGeneres' painful snub. Continue reading LEGAL FALLOUT UCLA quarterback arrested on felony charge, suspended from football team. Continue reading AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ Test yourself on autumn amusements and federal firsts. Take the quiz here KICKED TO THE CURB Super Bowl hero cut from 49ers roster after brutal Week 1 performance. Continue reading RESCUED RIDERS Stranded travelers are shown exiting amusement park ride. See video LAURA INGRAHAM Charlie Kirk had the drive to fight for what he believed in. See video JESSE WATTERS Charlie Kirk's assassination is a turning point. See video SEAN HANNITY Charlie Kirk wanted to do was offer young people validation for beliefs. See video Tune in to the FOX NEWS RUNDOWN PODCAST for in-depth reporting on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the scourge of political violence. Check it out ...Whats it looking like in your neighborhood?Continue readingFacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedInFox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Entertainment (FOX411)Fox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubiFox News GoThank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Well see you in your inbox first thing Friday.

She fled the war in Ukraine hoping to build a new life in the United States. Instead, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while riding a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train home from work.For her neighbors, the tragedy is made all the more painful each time they walk into their homes and see the flowers she painted bright strokes of pinks and greens, signed with her delicate hand.Neighbors in Huntersville, a suburb of Charlotte where Zarutska once lived with her family, told Fox News Digital that they first met the Ukrainian refugee through a local Facebook group, where she posted that she was looking for opportunities to paint, offering to add flowers or murals to homes."She came over and did some samples for us, and we still have them," a neighbor said. "She was here a couple of days, painting upstairs, and we got to know her."LEAVITT BLASTS 'MANY OUTLETS IN THIS ROOM' AT BRIEFING FOR FAILING TO COVER MURDER OF IRYNA ZARUTSKADespite her limited English, she quickly connected with them through translation apps."She didnt know English at the time, so we used Google Translate," one neighbor recalled. "She was just a real sweet girl. Very shy, but very smart."The family noted she was working to learn English so she could find more opportunities. Neighbors even gave her a computer to help her study.Zarutska spent days painting upstairs in one familys home, taking breaks to share stories about life in Ukraine."She was very cheerful and enthusiastic," another neighbor remembered. "We had some good moments with her."WHO IS IRYNA ZARUTSKA, UKRAINIAN REFUGEE KILLED IN CHARLOTTE TRAIN ATTACK?Her obituary describes her as a graduate of Synergy College in Kyiv, with a degree in art and restoration. Loved ones highlighted her deep creativity, love for animals and determination to keep learning."Iryna will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the lasting impression she left on everyone she met. Her absence leaves a deep void, but her spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her," her obituary read.On Aug. 22, police say Zarutska was ambushed while riding the light rail home from her job at Zepeddies Pizza. Authorities say surveillance video shows Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. stabbing her three times in what investigators described as a "seemingly unprovoked" attack. She was still wearing her work uniform at the time.U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Ferguson underscored the tragedy at a Tuesday news conference.IRYNA ZARUTSKA FLED UKRAINE FOR SAFETY BUT DEMOCRATS' SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICIES FAILED HER"She is a refugee. She literally came to the United States from a bomb shelter in Ukraine to escape the war," he said."And she was going about her day. She was coming home from work on a light rail train, like all of us do all the time. And she was brutally murdered."Brown is charged at the state level with first-degree murder and now faces a federal charge of committing a fatal act on a public transportation system. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without parole and are reviewing whether the case qualifies for the death penalty.Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital reveal Browns extensive criminal background, spanning more than a decade. His record includes convictions for theft, breaking and entering in 2013, and armed robbery in 2015. He was released from prison in 2020 and remained on parole until 2021. Additional charges filed in 2025 included making threats and misusing the emergency 911 system.The case has drawn national attention. President Donald Trump called Brown a "lunatic" and used the incident to argue for tougher sentencing laws and greater federal involvement in violent crime cases.Locally, the community has been shaken. "She was very smart, very talented, very artistic," one neighbor said. "She could have taken the world by storm with her potential."CHILLING VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE UKRAINIAN REFUGEE STABBED TO DEATH ON CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAILZarutska's artwork now carries new meaning for those who knew her."She had a skill for this to put the colors down and mix them up and get exactly what you had in mind. Phenomenal," another neighbor said.Another pointed to a simple flower painted in the corner of their home. "This is simple, but to me, its so special," the neighbor said. "And Im so glad I had her sign it."Neighbors say her work lives on in their homes and hearts. "Every time I come in here, I say her name. Her memory is here every day."Though their time with her was brief, neighbors were struck by her intelligence and drive.Others recalled conversations about the differences between life in Ukraine and in Charlotte. She had no drivers license, relying instead on public transportation something she explained was common in her hometown.Jenean Fornges, former publisher of Huntersville Living Magazine, worked on a story about Zarutskas family in 2023."They were just a very sweet, sweet family, and it was such an honor to feature them all," Fornges told Fox News Digital. "I was very inspired by the family setup there. The children were just young and sweet, and they were very excited to be here in the country for the first time."They had only just come. I don't think that they were even speaking English at that point. They had, literally, just arrived. But they were just excited, and they were just having a lot of fun with the pictures, like just being kind of silly and cute. I do remember Iryna. She was very sweet and polite and just happy and just very fun-loving. I picked up on the natural joy that they had as a family.""Now it's heartbreaking and so sad I can't even really find words to express," she added. "It's just hard to even really wrap my head around what has happened to Iryna."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPIn the days since her death, those who knew her say they feel a responsibility to keep her memory alive."Say her name. Make her real," one neighbor said.For her neighbors, the flowers she left behind are more than art they are a reminder of the young woman who dreamed of building a new life in America.During a moving part of Tuesdays news conference, Ferguson shared a message from Zarutskas family."After Iryna's death, the embassy in Ukraine called and said, Well help you bring her home. But her family said no. They told us she loved America, and they wanted to bury her here. So I think we can give her an America to be proud of."Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

When Meghan Markle joined the royal family, she thought it would be "sparkly and fun," like being a Disney princess, according to royal experts."Meghan obviously met her prince, and I imagine she did feel that being a princess would be something sparkly and fun, but Meghan is very much somebody who likes to center stage," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard tells Fox News Digital, adding, "She just wants to do things that she wants to do. And life as a working royal isn't all sparkly."Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for King Charles from 2004 until 2011 and recently released his book "The Royal Butler," told the New York Post this week that Markle once wanted to host her friends for lunch on a day when she was supposed to carry out a royal duty while she was still a senior royal."She would rather have lunch with her friends, thinking that was fine and it wasnt,"Harrold told the Post, adding that the schedule for royals is set six months in advance.MEGHAN MARKLE COMPARED TO CAROLYN BESSETTE-KENNEDY, WARNED BY EXPERTS TO STAY SILENT TO SAVE IMAGE"I think the problem with Meghan is that she went into the organization and she assumed that after watching all the Disney princesses, that she thought it was going to be like that," he said. "When you join the royal family, you are given rules and protocols to follow."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSChard tells Fox News Digital that although Prince Harry certainly must have talked with Markle about the "trials and tribulations of being a princess" before they were married, she was still looking for a "fantasy.""So it's a tricky one, and Prince Harry will have spoken to her, and she would have done research as well," Chard says. "It's just she realizes it wasn't something that she wanted. And then they jumped ship and ran off into the bright lights."After marrying in 2018, Harry and Markle stepped down as senior royals in 2020, leaving England for California.MEGHAN MARKLES INAUTHENTIC ROYAL RULES CLAIM IS JUST ANOTHER PITY PARTY': EXPERTRoyals expert Hilary Fordwich tells Fox News Digital that Markle was mesmerized by the "glamour, glitz, publicity and glory" of royal life, without realizing "the monarchy is more about dedication to duty and serving. She wanted all of the glory and fame, but none of the daily drudgery of dedication to duty royalty involved."On Wednesday, Harry reunited with Charles for the first time in over a year.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"King Charles loves his darling boy, Prince Harry," Chard tells Fox News Digital.But she noted that Prince William "doesnt trust" Harry."There are consequences for his behavior, and there's an awful lot of drama always surrounding him," she says.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"There's a lot of upset. There's a lot of throwing [the royal family] under the bridge or under the train, but there doesn't seem to be an awful lot of apologies coming from Prince Harry, and it makes it very hard," Chard continues. "Sadly, I do think time is a healer in anything, and in time, I'm sure things will change. Maybe Harry's feeling sorry. I think he could try harder."

House Judiciary Committee Democrats have announced they are probing the FBI over whether Director Kash Patel is willfully refusing to disclose information related to Jeffrey Epstein."Who exactly are you protecting by refusing to release the Epstein files? In 2023, on Benny Johnsons podcast, you were asked why the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was protecting the worlds foremost predator by refusing to release the Epstein client list. Your answer: Simple. Because of whos on that list,'" Democratic lawmakers, led by ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote."Now that you are the Director of the FBI, you know precisely who is implicated in the Epstein files, yet you refuse to release them. Who are you protecting and why?"HOUSE MOVES TO EXPOSE EPSTEIN FILES, AUTHORIZES OVERSIGHT PROBEThe letter pointed to several occasions when Patel called for transparency in Epstein's case, including his statement soon after taking the role, "There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued.""Strangely, all these promises appear to have collapsed once you determined who was actually in the files," the Democrats wrote.They also referenced a New York Times report that detailed hundreds of people pouring over thousands of documents related to Epstein."This frantic review by nearly 1,000 agents of over 100,000 pages of investigative material apparently revealed no information worthy of disclosure to the American public however, at least some information from the review was shared with President Trump. In May, Attorney General Bondi reportedly informed President Trump that his name indeed appeared repeatedly in the Epstein files," the letter said."Obvious questions abound: why were so many agents tasked with reviewing documents that were never released? What specific instructions were they given during the review? What information did these agents uncover that led DOJ and FBI to reverse their promise to release the files, and how are these decisions related to the President?"President Donald Trump himself denied being told that his name was in any files related to Epstein in late July."No, I was never, never briefed. No," the president said at the time.It was never reported in what context Trump's name may have appeared, however. It's known that the two were friendly before a falling out in the early 2000s, though Trump has never been implicated in any wrongdoing related to Epstein's crimes.LONGTIME BIDEN AIDE SAYS HE STOOD TO EARN UP TO $8M HAD PRESIDENT WON RE-ELECTIONTrump himself directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release grand jury transcripts related to Epstein, and Attorney General Pam Bondi subsequently had her deputy interview Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in a Florida prison.Trump has also called the furor surrounding Epstein a "hoax" on multiple occasions.The DOJ has since turned over thousands of documents related to Epstein to the House Oversight Committee.Convicted sex offender Epstein committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting prosecution on federal sex trafficking charges and the GOP base has fractured over the administration's handling of the case.The divisions stem from a DOJ memo released in July that said, "This systematic review revealed no incriminating client list. There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."Democrats have since seized on the discord with newfound calls for transparency in Epstein's case, which Republicans have panned as hypocrisy.An FBI public information officer declined to comment on the letter when the bureau was reached by Fox News Digital.

EXCLUSIVE: Illinois Republican Rep. Mary Miller, a critic of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, is introducing a bill to crack down on sanctuary states "gambling with American lives" by allowing illegal immigrants to obtain commercial drivers licenses.In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Millers office said the bill, titled the SAFE Driving Laws Act, will address the 19 sanctuary states creating an "extreme level of risk for all those on the road" by allowing illegals to obtain both individual drivers licenses and commercial drivers licenses (CDLs).If passed, the bill would withhold funds from the National Highway Performance and Surface Transportation Block Grant programs from states that give illegal immigrants drivers licenses or fail to share information about criminal aliens with the federal government.States not in compliance with the law by fiscal year 2027, which begins in October 2026, will have 50% of the funding from the two programs withheld for the entire fiscal year and for any subsequent year that the state remains in noncompliance.GOP REP TARGETS TRUCKER'S ENGLISH SKILLS AFTER ILLEGAL MIGRANT CHARGED IN DEADLY FLORIDA CRASHAccording to Millers office, this withholding is one of the highest among federal highway penalties and significantly higher than the penalty for not enforcing the federal drinking age, which is an 8% withholding.The office estimates that by not complying with this law, sanctuary states would lose out on millions to billions in federal transportation funding. Using fiscal year 2025 numbers, Millers office estimates that California would lose out on roughly $1.9 billion, Illinois $788 million and New York $900 million.Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom, responded to Miller's bill by telling Fox News Digital, "this is a witch hunt based on lies against states that follow federal law."This comes as Indian illegal immigrant Harjinder Singh faces charges of vehicular homicide in Florida for making an illegal U-turn in St. Lucie County, causing the deaths of three people. Singh was granted work authorization by the Biden administration in 2021 and later obtained a license in Washington in 2023 and then a CDL in California in 2024.Following the incident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration examined Singhs English proficiency and road sign comprehension. The illegal migrant was only able to identify just one out of four road signs during the test and correctly answered only two of 12 questions surrounding his ability to understand English.TOM HOMAN WARNS VIOLENT ICE PROTESTERS AMID TRUMPS CRIME CRACKDOWN, SAYS THERE IS ZERO TOLERANCEBesides cracking down on states issuing illegal licenses, Millers bill would also penalize states that prohibit or restrict local or state government entities from collecting and sending to or receiving immigration enforcement information from the Department of Homeland Security.The bill also stipulates that both the secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security maintain a publicly available database of each states compliance or noncompliance with the law.Miller criticized leaders in her own state in particular, telling Fox News Digital that "sanctuary states like Illinois are gambling with American lives by handing out drivers licenses and CDLs to illegal aliens."SANCTUARY CITIES DEFY BONDIS DEADLINE TO COOPERATE: NO INTENTION OF CHANGING"Its a dangerous, irresponsible policy that puts innocent Americans in grave danger," she said, adding, "My bill will ensure that these states comply or risk losing federal funding."Fox News Digital reached out to Pritzkers office as well as the office of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The Trump administration is stepping up its defense of the homeland while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers a chilling warning to narco-terrorists: attempts to harm Americans will no longer be "tolerated.""President Trump's locking the border down now we go on offense to make sure these cartels can't be funded, that they can't sustain what they're doing," Hegeth told Fox News' Rachel Campos-Duffy.In his first interview as secretary of War, Hegseth detailed the Pentagon's precision efforts to secure the western hemisphere, stressing his mission as defense chief to protect the homeland, the American people and U.S. national interests.HEGSETH ISSUES STARK WARNING TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS FOLLOWING US MILITARY STRIKE ON VENEZUELAN VESSELStopping the "poisoning" of American citizens, he said, is crucial to fulfilling that mission."It doesn't mean we're fighting every cartel everywhere, endlessly we're not trading one endless fight for another endless fight," he said."It's the precise application of American power to send very clear signals that narco-terrorism will not be tolerated in our hemisphere, and we're not doing it [handling drug traffickers] with kid gloves anymore."The War secretary's remarks come after U.S. officials touted a lethal strike against a Venezuelan drug boat that killed 11 alleged Tren de Aragua members earlier this month, though Venezuelan officials have disputed footage of the event.RUBIO SAYS TRUMP 'WANTS TO WAGE WAR' ON VENEZUELAN DRUG TRAFFICKERS: 'BLOW THEM UP IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES'The Coast Guard also sank a suspected drug boat over the weekend and apprehended seven alleged drug smugglers, according to video released by the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday.Campos-Duffy previewed her "Fox Noticias" interview with Hegseth Wednesday on "Fox & Friends," offering a glimpse into her visit to Joint Base Andrews in Washington, D.C., before heading to Puerto Rico to join Hegseth on the amphibious assault vessel USS Iwo Jima.During that interview, she also asked Hegseth about the recent Department of War rebrand and why he views the change as necessary."Words matter, titles matter," he said."The War Department was founded by George Washington in 1789. We have a long history of a War Department with this country. We won World War I and World War II with a War Department. We want a warrior ethos."Fittingly, the motto of my first platoon that I ever led was, Those who long for peace must prepare for war. It's because we want peace, it's because we seek peace, it's because the American people deserve peace."Watch more of Campos-Duffy's interview with Secretary Hegseth on "Fox Noticias."Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.

In the 24-years since a group of 19 members of the al Qaeda terrorist group boarded and hijacked four flights in a series of attacks on the U.S. that killed 2,977 people, the infamous network remains the "most dangerous terrorist group" in the world today, warned one expert.Though terrorist groups like ISIS and Hamas have gained immense notoriety over the last several years due to their brutal tactics, Bill Roggio, expert analyst and senior editor ofFoundation for Defense of Democracies"Long War Journal," explained to Fox News Digital that the threat posed by al Qaeda is far more sweeping today."The most dangerous terrorist group 24 years after 9/11 remains al Qaeda," Roggio said. "With the support of the Taliban, the situation there is far worse than it was pre-9/11."WEST POINT CADET TURNED ARMY VETERAN HONORS BROTHER LOST IN 9/11 ATTACKS THROUGH METS GAME TRIBUTERoggio explained that not only is al Qaeda running training camps in at least 13 of the 34 provinces in Afghanistan, its global operations have only continued to expand in the last two decades across the Middle East and Africa."Its global organization remains intact. It controls probably more than a third of Somalia and then, its so-called former affiliate and I'm not convinced the links have been broken now controls the government of Syria, with the Hayat Tahir Al Sham as its leader."President [Donald] Trump, even welcomed the takeover, the ouster of Bashar Al Assad. This was a mistake, in my estimation," he added. "It's a group that has proven to be clever, to be committed."Roggio explained that his chief concern when it comes to terrorism nearly two-and-half decades after 9/11 is the safe haven they have been granted, and the publics sentiment towards the various groups. "The number one concern I have for the threat of terrorism is the rise in safe havens for these groups," he said. "Afghanistan al Qaeda, running training camps, the Iranians continuing to provide safe haven, countries like Iraq, where the Shia militias are permitted to operate, al-Shabab al Qaeda branch in Somalia has safe haven in the areas they control."CARTEL CONNECTION: HEZBOLLAH AND IRAN EXPLOIT MADUROS VENEZUELA FOR COCAINE CASH"This is where, when terrorist groups have the time, the space and the security to plot, to execute, to recruit, to raise funds, they can conduct an attack like 9/11 and they have that in multiple places now," Roggio added.Terrorist groups have increasingly gained access to more sophisticated weaponry through state support like that provided by Iran to groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.But the ease of access to technological developments like AI and accessible technology like drones, has further increased the threat level that these groups pose.Roggio also pointed out that these groups do not need access to top arms or technological advancements to cause real harm."Nobody thought that box cutters and some training on airlines would lead to 9/11 and yet it happened," he said.Groups that either did not exist or were a "shadow" of themselves prior to 9/11 and worked on a cellular level, now have "armies across the globe," explained Roggio.But he also pointed out that open public support for groups that have carried out immense atrocities and human rights violations are also on the rise."When you look at the attitudes toward jihadist organizations, look at the support for Hamas todaythe rise in antisemitism and the decrease in support for Israel these are all indicators that things are trending for the jihadist organizations."To me, these are indications that we have lost the war on terror," he added.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPRoggio explained that there is a lack of "will" to fully address why there is a rise in extremism and how to best counter that, which cannot be done militarily alone, but by countering radical ideology."We defeated Nazi Germany," he pointed out. "It's something that can be done. We had the will to do it."Our hesitation, our unwillingness, our lack of commitment in these countries has emboldened them and again," Roggio said. "Until we remove the state sponsorship, until we are able to effectively deal with the purveyors of the radical ideology, these threats will persist."

Video obtained by Fox News Digital shows the moments before Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated.Kirk was killed on Wednesday afternoon during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.A university spokesperson told Fox News Digital the shooting happened at about 12:20 p.m. The TPUSA founder was taken to a local hospital in critical condition after being shot. He died at the hospital.While the FBI previously said a subject was in custody, the individual was later released after interrogation.CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTINGPrior to the shooting, people could be seen crowding around a white tent with text reading "THE AMERICAN COMEBACK" and "PROVE ME WRONG." An event organizer told Fox News Digital around 1,400 people RSVP'd for the event, with people from "many states" in attendance.The video showed people scrambling to leave after the shot was fired."The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us," President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"Joey Gallegos, a Utah Valley University student who was at the event, told Fox News Digital "everyone decided to run like out of the courtyard," adding that people were "tripping over each other and trying to jump over the barricade."Samuel Lino, a volunteer at the event, told Fox News Digital that Kirk met with people working the event before it started and was "super excited to talk to Utah Valley University."DEVELOPING STORY: CHARLIE KIRK SHOT AT UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY EVENT"I heard shots, and I initially thought it was a firecracker. Then I smelled a little bit of gunpowder, andI was like, OK, that's not a firecracker," Lino said. "I helped just get people out of there a little bit.""[Kirk] loves what he does, and we love him for it," Lino said.Kirk was scheduled to speak at Utah Valley University on Wednesday for his "American Comeback Tour," which drew protests from some student groups.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe fall 2025 leg of the speaking tour began at Utah Valley University.

Americans pay respect to Charlie Kirk at pop-up vigils across the nation. The Turning Point USA founder was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Former NFL star Tim Tebow warned that "evil is real" in the wake of a shooting at a college campus in Utah that left conservative influencer Charlie Kirk dead on Wednesday.Tebow was among the voices in the sports world who made posts on social media remember Kirk.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Evil is real. There is no doubt, the enemy is hard at work," Tebow wrote on X. "These last few days, the weight of evil has been heavy across our nation. But this I know: It will not have the final word. One day, God will make all things right."Until then, we pray. We weep with those who weep. And we keep fighting, knowing the victory has already been won."The Heisman Trophy winner and college football national champion added that he was praying for Kirks family in the wake of the shooting."Im shocked and devastated to learn about the passing of Charlie Kirk. Above all else, Charlie was a follower of Jesus, a husband, and a dad. He was a man of passion, courage, and devotion to making an eternal impact.KAI TRUMP REACTS TO DEATH OF 'CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND' CHARLIE KIRK AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING"Demi and I are praying for Erika, his two children, and everyone who loved him."Kirk was shot on the campus of Utah Valley University and later died in Orem.President Donald Trump announced Kirks death later in the day."The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.A manhunt was launched for the assassin.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.