Background: A sheriff keeps watch at Utah Valley University following the shooting and death of Charlie Kirk on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson). Inset: Charlie Kirk delivers a speech during the first day of the Republican National Convention on Monday, August 24, 2020, as seen in an image from the convention’s video feed. (Republican National Convention via CNP /MediPunch/IPX).
A person has been detained for supposedly entering the area where political activist Charlie Kirk was killed, despite barriers marked with crime scene tape and numerous police officers present.
Russell Kim Kennington, aged 38, faces charges of suspected capital obstruction of justice, a serious offense, and criminal trespass, a minor offense, according to Salt Lake City CBS affiliate KUTV. Kennington is accused of capturing photos and videos at the crime scene, allegedly disguising himself in a lab coat to appear as an official figure.
A video shared on social media shows Kennington handcuffed and questioned by police. He is seen wearing a white lab coat over a red hoodie, with what seems to be green surgical attire beneath.
The suspect reportedly informed local news sources that he was “reflecting and capturing footage of the scene.” To go unnoticed, he claimed to be “staying in the shadows” and stated that he did not want to “interrupt” the officers.
An arrest affidavit indicates that “there were two layers of yellow crime scene tape that Russell would have had to cross to enter the primary crime scene area.” When law enforcement initially approached him, he allegedly attempted to flee but was eventually apprehended.
Officers reportedly went through Kennington’s phone and found a selfie of himself at the crime scene. He was booked into the Utah County Jail.
Law&Crime has reached out to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office for more information.
A national correspondent for USA Today was shocked by the accessibility of the active crime scene.
“In 20 years of journalism on several continents I’ve never seen authorities leave an active crime scene open like this,” Will Carless wrote on social media. “Wild[.] Especially since there are hundreds of cops nearby.”
Kirk’s assassination has captured national — and, in many places, international — attention. He was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot in the neck — apparently by a sniper’s bullet. He was pronounced dead not long after.
The suspect in the shooting remained at large until Friday morning, President Donald Trump announced that the believed shooter was arrested.
“I think — with a higher degree of certainty — we have him in custody,” he said on Fox News. “I think we’re in great shape. He’s in custody.”
Several reports have identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
