U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested several dangerous criminal illegal aliens in the sanctuary city of Chicago, for heinous crimes such as sexually assaulting a child family member, rape, armed robbery and domestic battery.As part of Operation Midway Blitz, these arrests honor Katie Abraham,who was killed in a drunk-driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois."In just the last few days in Chicago, ICE has arrested pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. "These are the criminal illegal aliens Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and their fellow sanctuary politicians protect over the law-abiding American citizens."ICE AGENTS BREAK CAR WINDOW TO ARREST RESISTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN EXCLUSIVE FOX NEWS RIDE-ALONG"These criminal illegal aliens flocked to Illinois because sanctuary policies allow them to roam free and terrorize innocent Americans without consequence," McLaughlin said. "President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return."TOM HOMAN PUTS SANCTUARY CITIES 'ON NOTICE' AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CRACKS DOWN ON IMMIGRATIONDHS provided mugshots of they the department described as some of the worst of the worst offenders arrested.DHS will continue our law enforcement and public safety mission undeterred as we surge ICE resources in the city in coordination with our federal partners from across the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.

The suspect who shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk remains on the run Thursday as investigators said they are analyzing security footage of a mystery individual "dressed in all dark clothing."Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was struck with a single bullet around 12:20 p.m. local time Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem."The only information we have on the suspect, the possible shooter, is taken from closed-circuit TV here on campus," Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Wednesday."We do have that. We're analyzing it. But it is security camera footage, so you can kind of guess what the quality of that is," he added. "But we do know, dressed in all dark clothing. But we don't have a much better description other than that."DARK MOMENT FOR AMERICA: TRUMP DECLARES CHARLIE KIRKS VOICE BIGGER AND GRANDER AFTER ASSASSINATIONThe Utah Department of Public Safety said that Kirk, after being shot, was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead."This shooting is still an active investigation," the agency said in a statement. "The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are co-leading this incident in unison with the Utah County Attorneys office, the Utah County Sheriffs office, and the local police departments.""DPSs State Crime Lab, along with all law enforcement involved, are working multiple active crime scenes. These were identified based on where the victim was shot, as well as the locations where the suspect and victim traveled," the statement continued."The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack," it also said. "The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard. Any additional clarifications cannot be provided to protect the integrity of our investigation."VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: 'WE MUST HEAL'DPS said it initially took in George Zinn as a suspect, but later released him. Zinn was charged with obstruction by campus police.A second individual was then taken into custody, but he too was released following an interrogation by law enforcement, DPS added."There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals," DPS said.The FBI is now asking the public to share any information, photos or videos they may have from the incident."To secure the event, UVU PD had six officers working the event," DPS said. "These security measures were in addition to Charlie Kirks security detail, who travels with him. Approximately 3,000 people attended. The location of the event was held in the university quad, an outdoor bowl courtyard on campus for events. This is a tragic moment for Utah and our country."

For older adults, minor falls can pose major threats, as their risk of death after a fall has tripled in the U.S. over the last 30 years.Some experts believe that certain medications a category called fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) could be to blame.Dr. Thomas A. Farley, a Washington, D.C.based public health expert, writes in the medical publication JAMA that lifestyle changes alone cant explain the spike.COMMON PAINKILLERS MAY FUEL DEADLY SUPERBUGS THAT RESIST ANTIBIOTICS, STUDY WARNS"There is plenty of reason to believe that the surge in fall deaths may be tied to the soaring use of certain prescription drugs," he writes.Farley noted that these drugs are widely used among older adults, and their use has grown over the past few decades."Cutting back on unnecessary FRIDs could be a simple but powerful way to reduce fall rates and help seniors remain safe, independent and active as they age," the researchers wrote in the study, published in BMC Geriatrics.FRIDs could make people more likely to fall because they can cause drowsiness, dizziness, slower reaction times or problems with balance and coordination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.POPULAR BACK PAIN MEDICATION LINKED TO BRAIN HEALTH RISKS IN SOME PATIENTSThis category of medications includes common drugs such as beta-blockers (often used for heart conditions), anticholinergics (used for allergies, bladder issues or depression), and even proton pump inhibitors (for acid reflux), which may not directly cause falls, but can make injuries worse if a fall happens.The most concerning FRIDs, according to Farley, are those that act on the brain and nervous system, including the following."The easiest way to think of medications that increase the risk of falls is any medication that changes a persons ability to clearly perceive and navigate the world," Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a physician based in South Carolina, told Fox News Digital. "Standing or walking without falling takes a great deal of coordination between different parts of a persons body."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTERPrevious studies of FRIDs suggest a link to an increased risk of falling.In one Swiss study last year, a group of seniors 74 and older were tracked over three years. Those taking any FRID at all were 13% more likely to fall, 15% more likely to suffer an injurious fall and 12% more likely to fall multiple times.For those taking multiple FRIDs, the risks were even higher, with 22% more total falls and 33% more injurious falls.There are some limitations to these studies, according to Perry."Many times, there are obvious associations between the two items, but that does not mean that there is a specific causation," he told Fox News Digital. "Although what appears to be a logical conclusion of FRIDs being the cause of the increased falls, it is difficult to truly make such a statement without further study."MORE IN HEALTH NEWSPerry emphasized that seniors shouldn't necessarily avoid the medications altogether."There is always a risk associated with taking any medication, but the intent is to make sure that the benefits outweigh the risks," he said. "The discussion of risk versus benefit is best to be had with a primary care physician who truly knows the patient and their specific risk factors."

FIRST ON FOX: Republicans from the House Oversight Committee released a report outlining what they allege are conflicts of interest, financial mismanagement and oversight failures associated with a Biden-era green energy grant program that sent $20 billion to just 8 different nonprofits.The money stems from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which budgeted roughly $27 billion to advance clean energy and "environmental justice" under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). An undercover recording of a former Biden Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) political appointee, who described disbursements made through GGRF as akin to tossing gold bars off the Titanic at the end of Biden's term, was cited by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in February when he announced that the agency would be looking into the matter. Republicans are currently trying to claw back the funds, which they claim were rushed out the door at the end of the Biden administration with little oversight and steered toward Democratic allies."Todays report from the House Oversight Committee exposes the Biden administrations sweeping green energy scheme, designed to funnel tens of billions in taxpayer dollars to enrich Democratic allies and fund partisan, politically motivated projects," House Republican Oversight Chairman James Comer told Fox News Digital. "Americans deserve better than this green energy scam disguised as environmental justice, and Oversight Republicans will continue to hold the Biden administration accountable to ensure the EPA operates as intended and that taxpayer dollars are spent transparently, responsibly, and in the best interest of the American people."EPA HEAD BLASTS BIDEN-ERA DECISION TO STRANGULATE ENERGY SECTORS OUT OF EXISTENCEThe EPA terminated most of these grants after the Trump administration took office, but the move was met with legal pushback from Democrats. However, last week, a federal appeals court judge struck down a lower court's ruling that blocked the Trump administration's move to freeze the funds, arguing the administration was acting in accordance with its role to provide "proper oversight" of how funds are distributed.The EPA has referred the matter to the agency's inspector general. The Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation are also running concurrent investigations, the EPA has indicated. However, up to this point, no criminal wrongdoing has been uncovered. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., declined to comment on the matter. Additionally, several other top ranking Democrats, including the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., did not respond to requests for comment.However, in an Aug. 11 letter to Zeldin signed by several ranking Democrats, including Clarke, they accused Zeldin of "lying" about the Inflation Reduction Act funding."Time and again, you have boasted about the unlawful activities EPA is conducting under your leadership without any credible evidence to justify your actions," the letter stated.ZELDIN SHUTTERS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR BIDEN EPA MUSEUM THAT SCARCELY SAW VISITORSWhile there may not be any criminal wrongdoing alleged thus far, the picture paintedby the investigation by House Oversight Republicans shows the Biden administration "turned the Environmental Protection Agency into a vehicle for rewarding political allies, all while risking the stability of our energy infrastructure," according to Comer."Todays report from the House Oversight Committee exposes the Biden administrations sweeping green energy scheme, designed to funnel tens of billions in taxpayer dollars to enrich Democratic allies and fund partisan, politically motivated projects," Comer added.The report released by Oversight Republicans details how committee staff reviewed "tens of thousands" of documents produced by the GGRF awardees in question. The documents also included EPA materials for reviewing and awarding the GGRF funds, among other records.The report shows how the EPA judged the applicants using a scoring system that awarded points for different parts of the nonprofits' proposals. For example, flawless "financial risk management" awarded a total of 85 points, while flawless "legal and compliance risk management" could provide an applicant up to 40 possible points. Meanwhile, the EPA weighted "equity and environmental justice" the same way it did "financial statements" and more than it weighted good "governance" or "legal and compliance risk management," among other categories."By doing so, the EPA all but ensured that the grants would go to President Bidens political allies. All awardees of the GGRF had climate equity or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in place or committed to putting equivalent policies in place," the House Oversight report argues. "EPA criticized multiple applicants because their targeted reductions in emissions were too low. In other cases, the EPA staff complained that there was not enough 'environmental justice expertise represented in leadership or on the boards of the nonprofits. The Biden EPA insisted on climate equity metrics over merit."EPA URGED BY STATE AGS TO AXE FUNDS FOR RADICAL CLIMATE PROJECT ACCUSED OF TRAINING JUDGESAfter receiving their scores, the program provided a "reconciliation process" for EPA staff to discuss their assessments and adjust their scores, according to the Oversight report. The ultimate decision was then passed to a single "selection official" who made the final determination.The report also claims that the disbursement review process was "full of contradictions." It says documents showed EPA officials had concerns about the groups receiving the funds related to overly optimistic projections for financial benefits or emissions reductions, lack of access to private capital, high uninsured cash balances, and lack of transparency. Simultaneously, in other documents, the EPA justified the GGRF recipients as entities "with track records, staff, risk management policies, and other programmatic capabilities," according to the House Oversight report.One of the groups under scrutiny, Climate United Fund, was established for the purpose of utilizing the GGRF, according to the Oversight report. The report points to claims from EPA staff indicating the group is "a new-entity purpose built for the execution of our program plan and does not have a robust reporting history."Climate United, reported just $95,557 in assets for fiscal year 2023 but received $6.97 billion from the EPA, representing a 7,293,980% increase in reported assets since 2023, the Oversight report points out.Other groups also saw similarly significant increases.CLIMATE LAWFARE CAMPAIGN DEALT BLOW IN SOUTH CAROLINAPower Forward Communities received $2 billion as part of the GGRF disbursements. The group, not established until after the Biden administration announced the GGRF application process, reported just $100 in assets in its first and only tax filing meaning that following the $2 billion GGRF award, the entities' assets increased 2,000,000,000%, according to the House Oversight report."These tired allegations distract from the fact that EPAs illegal funding freezewill drive up energy costs for hardworking Americans across the country. When household bills are skyrocketing, Congress should be focused on deploying cheap, clean energy technologies rather than resurfacing false claims," Brooke Durham, a spokesperson for Climate United told Fox News Digital when reached for comment. "Climate United welcomes the opportunity to explain our work and the benefits of the NCIF program to Congress, federal agencies, and to the public."The spokesperson also noted that while the Climate United coalition which is made up of three separate organizations is new, the organizations that make it up are not."The organizations that make up Climate United have been investing in communities for over 30 years, and are experts in the capital markets who have collectively managed more than $30 billion in institutional and public funds," Durham said. She added that the group was proud to tout a 946.5 point evaluation score by the EPA out of a possible 1050 points, which Durham noted was among the highest of all the awardees.Power Forward declined to comment. However, the group's CEO, Tim Mayopolous told CBS News last month that the GGRF award process "was a highly structured, competitive process that the United States government went through."EPA ADMINISTRATOR LEE ZELDIN OPENS UP ABOUT DEREGULATION: WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM HERE"The organizations that are part of our coalition that actually do this work they have been around collectively for nearly a century, and they have invested or disbursed over $100 billion of capital into communities all over America over those years," Mayopolous added. "We're not inexperienced people." Climate United, along with some of the other groups in question, are also under fire for allegedly inflating their executives' salaries and travel benefits in proposed budgets. The CEO's salary at Climate United was slated to be over $500,000, and at Power Forward $800,000, with an increase to over $900,00 in a year. One group produced a budget that paid its executive staff of seven employees a total of $24,862,419 over three years, according to the report.Meanwhile, conflicts of interest, which Zeldin has described as "blatant," were also laid bare in the report. The director of the GGRF selected by the Biden White House was a former policy director at the group that wanted to pay their executive staffers close to a combined $25 million over three years, according to the report. The report says the director had to recuse himself from the award process because of the conflict. At Climate United, the group currently staffs a former Biden climate advisor who worked during the last two years of the former president's term. Their board makeup while pursuing the GGRF award also had ties to the Obama administration. However, Durham contested the implication that there were conflicts of interest, telling Fox News Digital that no staff or board members at Climate United helped with the design of the program, or the selection of the award recipients.Power Forwards GGRF application process was also accused of being led by Democrat allies in the Republican Oversight report. Power Forward was founded by executives at nonprofit Rewiring America, co-founded by top Obama administration advisors, the report states. It also claims that Power Forward had planned on awarding Rewiring America with nearly $500,000,000."The nonprofits receiving awards are littered with connections to Biden Administration staff and allies. The executives and board members at some of the GGRFs awardees even helped write the policies that created the GGRF and are now benefitting from exorbitant salaries provided by taxpayers," the House Oversight report states."The GGRF was a huge step for the Left in realizing the Green New Deal. The program is a National Green Bank that will flood the economy with billions in taxpayer dollars to fund partisan projects regardless of whether they merit investment or not."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has abruptly fired the U.K.s ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, following the release of emails revealing he had closer ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein than were previously known.The string of emails, released by The Sun newspaper on Wednesday, showed Mandelson expressing sympathy and support for Epstein in 2008 as he battled his first conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.Mandelson, a longtime Labour Party politician and strategist, told Epstein to "fight for early release" in legal appeals before Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison. "I think the world of you," Mandelson told him before he began his sentence.PRINCE ANDREW, JEFFREY EPSTEINS FRIENDSHIP FUELED BY MONEY AND SEX: AUTHORIn a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty acknowledged that the decision to fire Mandelson came after the publication of emails Mandelson sent to Epstein."In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador," the Foreign Office said in a statement."The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelsons relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment," it added.The revelations followed last weeks release by Democrats on the U.S. House Oversight Committee of a 2003 birthday album compiled for Epstein. In that album, Mandelson referred to Epstein as "my best pal" in a handwritten note.PRINCE ANDREW WAS A 'BULLY' WHO HUMILIATED ROYAL STAFF THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER: BOOKIn that album, Mandelson called Epstein "my best pal" in a handwritten note.The disclosures prompted opposition calls for action. Conservatives and the Scottish National Party demanded Mandelsons resignation, while the Liberal Democrats pressed for an investigation.Mandelson was one of the key figures behind the partys revival under Tony Blair.In the 1990s, he was central to Labours rebranding as "New Labour," working closely with Blair and Gordon Brown. He served in senior Cabinet posts, including Trade Secretary and Northern Ireland Secretary under Blair and Business Secretary under Gordon Brown.He also served as the European Unions trade commissioner from 2004 to 2008 before returning to domestic politics later that year as Lord Mandelson, a life peer in the House of Lords.Most recently, Mandelson visited President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in May during the announcement of a limited U.S.U.K. trade deal.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

First lady Melania Trump offered her condolences to the Kirk family as Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son."Charlies children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their fathers voice should have echoed," Melania Trump wrote on X."Charlie Kirks life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country," she added.Kirk was shot around 12:20 p.m. local time Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. The Utah Department of Public Safety said that Kirk, after being shot, was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.'DARK MOMENT FOR AMERICA': TRUMP DECLARES CHARLIE KIRK'S VOICE 'BIGGER AND GRANDER' AFTER ASSASSINATIONA manhunt remains ongoing Thursday for the suspect behind the assassination.The first ladys comments came shortly after President Donald Trump released an Oval Office message on the assassination."He's a martyr for truth and freedom," Trump said.LIVE UPDATES: CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SPARKS MANHUNT AS SHOOTING SUSPECT REMAINS AT LARGEIn a social media post, Trump said that in honor of Kirk, "a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.""No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," the president wrote in another post. "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!"In August, Kirk posted a photo of the first lady wearing a crown on a fake Vanity Fair cover on X, writing, "We need to meme the cover into existence."

Three Division I college basketball players were permanently banned from the NCAA on Wednesday for allegedly betting on their own games.Mykell Robinson, Steven Vasquez and Jalen Weaver have been revoked of their eligibility after the NCAA Committee on Infractions released findings that determined the players bet on contests they competed in at Fresno State and San Jose State, and were able to share thousands of dollars in payouts.All three athletes were released from their respective teams and are no longer enrolled at their previous schools. Neither school was punished.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe NCAA declared the three players bet on each other's games and/or provided information that enabled others to do so during the 2024-25 regular season and that two of them even manipulated their performances to ensure certain bets were won.The NCAA said a sports integrity monitoring service in January notified Fresno State and NCAA enforcement staff that a Nevada sportsbook operator had flagged suspicious prop bets on Robinson. The investigation began a week later..UCONN'S DAN HURLEY MISDIRECTS CRITICISM WHEN ASKED ABOUT TEAM'S RESPONSE TO MEDIA'S FULL-COURT PRESSFresno State said it willingly cooperated with the NCAA."The university proactively shared reported information concerning sports wagering activity with the NCAA and worked collaboratively with the NCAA staff throughout the investigation," the school said in a statement. "While the eligibility consequences for the former student-athletes are significant, the case ultimately resulted in a Level III/Secondary violation and no sanctions for the institution. The university continues to have confidence in the Fresno State Athletics culture and is grateful to conclude this matter."San Jose State said it was aware of the decision and that Vasquez was already removed from the roster.According to the NCAA, Robinson and Vasquez had been roommates at Fresno State during the 2023-24 season. In January 2025, Robinson, who was still at Fresno State, and Vasquez, then at San Jose State discussed over text message that Robinson planned to underperform in several statistical categories during one regular-season game. Robinson also placed multiple bets on Weaver, his teammate at Fresno State in 2024-25, the NCAA found.During one game, Robinson, Vasquez and a third party bet a combined $2,200 on Robinson to underperform, and a $15,950 payout was redistributed among those who had bet, the NCAA said.During that same season, Robinson placed 13 daily fantasy sports over-line and under-line prop bets totaling $454 on parlays that included his own performance. He collected $618 on one occasion.Robinson placed multiple bets on Weaver, including two bets placed before a game in late December 2024 after he and Weaver exchanged information about their respective betting lines, the NCAA said. Weaver also placed a $50 prop bet on a parlay for himself, Robinson and a third athlete, and he won $260.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Charlie Kirk praised Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the weeks before the conservative influencer was assassinated on a Utah campus on Wednesday.Jackson took heat in August for sharing a Bible quote Kirk had posted on his X account. The one-time NFL MVP was known for sharing messages of faith on social media and being outward about his Christian faith. Kirk applauded Jacksons "courage and conviction" amid the backlash.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMIn the wake of Kirks killing, Jackson wasnt among those who shared a reaction. However, he shared Super Bowl champion Torrey Smiths post."Celebrating the death of someone you dont share the same beliefs as is wild," Smith wrote on X. "Seeing it play out in real time is disgusting."Fox News Digital reached out to Jacksons rep for further comment.LIVE UPDATES: CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SPARKS MANHUNT AS SHOOTING SUSPECT REMAINS AT LARGEKirk was shot on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem and later died.PresidentDonald Trumpannounced 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.

As law enforcement officials continue searching for the person behind the assassination of 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, witnesses describe a scene with minimal security at the event on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) when the shooting took place."There were not a lot of cops there. Ive seen more cops at UVU for sporting events than right now," a witness identified as Sam, who said he was a local high school student, told KUTV. Sam also wondered why there werent stricter security measures, such as bag checks before the event."They had cops above on the walkways who were stopping what I assume people from throwing stuff down towards him. So, I wonder why there wasnt any level of security taken to stop people around, like, in front of him or anything like that," he added.Kirk, who famously went to college campuses across the country to discuss politics with and debate young people, was fatally shot during an event at UVU on Wednesday afternoon. While an individual initially believed to be the shooter was taken into custody, authorities later determined that the person was not connected to the shooting.VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: 'WE MUST HEAL'Cooper Brown, who was managing the microphone at Kirks event, spoke with "Fox & Friends First" on Thursday morning about what he saw."Unfortunately, very, very soon after the question and answering started, I heard a very loud pop and I looked to my right and see Charlie Kirk, his body shake and blood begin to pour down from the side of his neck," Brown said.CHARLIE KIRK MOURNED BY WORLD LEADERS AFTER SHOCKING UTAH ASSASSINATIONHe recalled that once the shot rang out, people in the crowd began panicking and dropping to the ground in anticipation of more gunfire. However, once they realized there were no shots being fired, they ran and tried to grab others to help them get out of the deadly scene.Ryan DeVries, who works in property management and volunteers as a first responder, left his firearm in his car before attending Kirks event, anticipating metal detectors. He told the Associated Press that he too was surprised by the lack of security.CHARLIE KIRK KILLED WHILE LAUNCHING TURNING POINT USA CAMPUS TOURThe 25-year-old was weaving his way through the tightly-packed crowd to pose a question to Kirk when, at about 50 feet away, he heard what sounded like a "popping" firework. Then he saw Kirks head slumped.A stampede rife with terror and panic soon erupted, DeVries said. Some attendees darted to a nearby building and ran through a water fountain to escape. Others ducked down."People definitely feared for their lives. I could see it in their eyes. I could hear it in their voices. People were crying. People were screaming. It was a nightmare," DeVries said.DeVries walked up to the universitys Turning Point student chapter table, where he joined its members in a prayer for Kirk."It was a come together moment."The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The federal trial of Ryan Routh, the accused would-be assassin of President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club last year, is scheduled to begin Thursday.After several rounds of jury selection that began Monday, a panel of 12 jurors along with four alternates were seated Wednesday. The group includes six White women, four White men, one Black woman and one Black man. The alternates consist of two White women and two White men.Opening arguments are scheduled for Thursday at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, where prosecutors are expected to move swiftly into presenting their case.RYAN ROUTH TRIAL: JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT CASERoughly 180 people were summoned for jury duty in three waves of 60. Both prosecutors and Routh, who has declined public defense and has chosen to self-represent, questioned candidates to determine whether they could serve impartially.Routh peppered prospective jurors with offbeat questions, asking about Ukraine, the war in Gaza and even what they would do if a turtle crossed the road while they were driving.The most recent high-profile federal defendant to represent themselves was Dylann Storm Roof, the mass murderer responsible for the 2015 Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting. Roof briefly represented himself in the federal death penalty phase of his trial in 2016. He requested to proceed pro se and was allowed to do so for part of the proceedings before ultimately reverting to court-appointed counsel.TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECT RYAN ROUTH CHALLENGES PRESIDENT TO ROUND OF GOLFBy the end of Tuesday, the court had already dismissed more than 70 of the initial 180 prospective jurors, many citing strong opinions about Trump, connections to law enforcement or concerns about impartiality in a highly politicized case.Routh has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. Prosecutors say he was armed with an AK-style rifle when Secret Service agents stopped him near Trumps golf course in West Palm Beach in September 2024. The attempt came just months after Trump was shot and narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECT RYAN ROUTH CAN REPRESENT HIMSELF AT TRIAL, FEDERAL JUDGE RULESCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe trial is expected to last two to four weeks with Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon at the helm of the trial.Fox News Digital's Diana Stancy contributed to this report.