A man was taken into custody on multiple charges after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was murdered at Utah Valley University. Authorities detained 38-year-old Russell Kim Kennington, who faces accusations of obstructing justice and criminal trespassing. Reports indicate he entered the crime scene and began taking photos and videos, bypassing visible crime scene tape marked “crime/police/do not intersect.”
Wearing a white lab coat, Kennington reportedly ran toward the University Woodbury building, despite attempts by detectives and agents to stop him. He identified himself when apprehended and was handcuffed. According to the affidavit, he stated that Kirk was “photographed in reminiscence of the scene” at the time of his death. Officers seized Kennington’s phone and discovered a photo he allegedly took at the scene.
Kennington claimed he wanted to avoid interfering with law enforcement while at the crime scene, although he would have had to cross two sets of crime scene tape to access the main area, as detailed in the documents. He is now booked at the Utah County Jail.
Kirk was shot on Wednesday during a lecture at Utah Valley University, and 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been identified as the shooter. At a press conference, the FBI released new footage of a suspect believed to have fled the scene right after Kirk was shot.
On Thursday, Air Force 2 transported Kirk’s remains from Utah to Arizona. Vice President J.D. V. V. and Second Lady Usha Vance accompanied Kirk’s family and friends during the transfer. President Donald Trump announced he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
