The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot and killed during Utah campus event, shooter at large
Sep 11, 2025
In this discussion, Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor, and Ken Dilanian, MSNBC justice correspondent, delve into the shocking shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a campus event. They explore the chaotic moments experienced by attendees and the law enforcement challenges in the ongoing investigation. The conversation highlights the troubling rise of political violence in America and examines the FBI's efforts to track the shooter using technology and community tips. Insights into the implications for national security and civil discourse are brought to light.
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Bipartisan Outcry Over Assassination
- Political leaders across parties uniformly condemned the killing of Charlie Kirk today and framed it as unacceptable political violence.
- Prominent figures from Biden to Trump issued statements calling for rejection of political violence and prayers for Kirk's family.
Reporter Was Seconds From The Stage
- Eyewitness Ken Dilanian described being about 20 yards from Charlie and hearing a single loud shot that immediately caused chaos.
- He saw blood and Kirk go limp while the crowd dropped and then scrambled away through knocked-over barriers.
Conflicting Early Law Enforcement Messages
- The FBI initially declared a suspect in custody, then local law enforcement said that person was only a person of interest and was released.
- That public confusion implied the shooter remained at large and prompted a massive manhunt with mixed messaging from agencies.