Social media accounts posted photos and videos claiming to show the killer of American activist Charlie Kirk. Some of the photos also circulated the identity of the alleged killer, claiming he was “Michael Mallinson, a member of the Democratic Party in Utah.”
Kashif verified these claims and found them to be misleading. US authorities are still searching for the suspect in the shooting of Kirk, and have not yet announced his identity or released any photos of him.
Utah police said two people were detained and released after it was determined they were not connected to the shooting. Utah Department of Public Safety Chief Beau Mason said the suspect was described as wearing all-dark clothing.
“This shooting remains under investigation,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement, adding that it is working with the FBI and local police departments.
As for Michael Mallinson, who accounts have claimed was Kirk’s shooter, he explained in a phone interview with The New York Times that he was in Toronto, Canada, when the shooting occurred, and expressed his shock when he saw his name and photo circulating on social media as a suspect.
“I’m just shocked by it,” Mallinson said. “How quickly it can happen, and how quickly a person’s name and image can spread.”
Mallinson was accused on social media of resembling him to another person who was briefly detained and then released by police after the incident.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday evening, 10 September 2025, that American activist Charlie Kirk was killed after being shot while participating in an event in the US state of Utah.
Kirk co-founded Turning Point America in 2012, an organization active on college campuses promoting far-right ideas, and is a prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump.