LISTEN: Audio Reveals Chaos As Utah County Dispatchers Responded To Charlie Kirk Shooting

Newly released audio captures the tense moments when Utah County police dispatchers scrambled to respond to the assassination of Charlie Kirk during his campus event at Utah Valley University. The chilling recordings, obtained shortly after Wednesday’s attack, reveal how officers struggled to piece together fragmented information as frightened witnesses flooded 911 lines with conflicting reports.

At the start of the audio, dispatchers urgently relayed what little was known, “UVU in Orem has had an active shooter at the Charlie Kirk event. We’re getting several calls. We’re trying to get more information.”

The uncertainty was immediate. Calls poured in describing multiple possible shooters, different locations, and conflicting details about what weapon was used. Police moved quickly to lock down the campus, while telling certain units to stand by until reliable information could be confirmed.

“Don’t call out. North, do not respond… there is law enforcement on scene,” one dispatcher instructed. As the minutes passed, dispatchers debated how many people had been hit. “418 copy, how many injured do we have?” one officer asked. “Just one person. Sounds like maybe another individual,” came the response.

The lone confirmed victim was later identified as Charlie Kirk himself, who had been struck in the neck while answering audience questions. Eyewitnesses described panic as students and supporters rushed for cover. Kirk was quickly transported by his security detail and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

LISTEN:

Utah County police scanner appears to provide the Charlie Kirk shooting suspect’s description:

“Just east of the library. He’s wearing jeans, black shirt, black mask, long rifle.” pic.twitter.com/p2eoYHkFoe

— Mia Cathell (@MiaCathell) September 10, 2025

At one point, dispatchers relayed descriptions of a possible shooter positioned above campus: “On top of the building on the far north side, just east of the library, wearing jeans, black shirt, black vest.” Another call suggested a man in a black mask with a long rifle.

Simultaneously, dispatchers received reports of a suspicious vehicle, a “Blue Honda Odyssey,” seen leaving the area. The flood of unverified tips only added to the sense of chaos, highlighting the challenge first responders face when hundreds of terrified witnesses are calling at once.

Roughly two minutes after the initial call, one dispatcher told units to hold off. “All incoming units, you guys can cancel. We just have the one victim,” the voice said, suggesting that law enforcement believed the immediate threat had passed.

Still, with the shooter’s whereabouts uncertain, officers remained on high alert. Preliminary reports indicate the fatal shot was fired from roughly 200 yards away, possibly from an elevated position near the library.

The release of the dispatch audio comes as the country continues to reel from the assassination of a conservative leader who built his career on energizing young voters. Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump.

Trump confirmed Kirk’s death in a Truth Social post, calling him “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk,” and offering condolences to his wife Erika and family. Utah Speaker Mike Schultz and other state leaders likewise confirmed Kirk’s passing shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time.

As of Wednesday evening, police have not confirmed that a suspect is in custody. A man initially detained near the scene was released after authorities determined he was not the shooter.

Investigators are now working to identify the actual gunman and confirm whether the shot originated from a nearby building or another vantage point.

For over a decade, Kirk traveled relentlessly to college campuses, often facing hostile crowds, in an effort to spark debate and mobilize younger voters. His voter registration drives through Turning Point Action were credited with boosting Republican turnout in battleground states during the 2024 election.