Charlie Kirk was struck and killed almost instantly, leaving the nation in shock.
An elite American sharpshooter suggests that the person who fatally shot him was likely an “internet shooter” rather than a trained military marksman.
US Army Sgt. Nicholas Ranstad said the unknown gunman, still on the run Thursday morning, probably taught themselves how to handle firearms and lacked formal military training.
Ranstad, who holds the record for the longest American kill in Afghanistan, told the Daily Mail the shooter likely had no military training.
“They’re probably just an internet shooter, not a sniper or trained soldier,” Ranstad explained in an interview.
Just like other witnesses noted, Ranstad also pointed out that the security appeared to be very light.
“The security was super light, no crime at that school. So I guess the threat was low, apparently,” he said. “That’s a buffet for someone who wanted to kill someone.”
The sharpshooter explained that Kirk was speaking in an open-air courtyard surrounded by high ground and multi-level buildings — a “fishbowl” perfect for a shooter.
“Money for shooters. Shooting down is easy,” Ranstad added.
Six officers were working at the event
University officials believe the gunman was positioned on the roof of the Losee Center, across from where Kirk stood under a pop-up tent in the packed UVU Fountain Courtyard. The event was free and first-come, first-served.
Ranstad estimated the single fatal shot traveled over 200 yards, with lax security making it possible for the shooter to get in unnoticed.
“When you have events like that, you look at the security, if you push 250, 300 yards, it’s an easy shot,” he said.
“Not to mention out in the open, wind is low out in the country. It’s not like in the city where a bullet flying past the buildings will move more.”
UVU Police Chief Jeff Long said six officers were working the event alongside Kirk’s security team, and more than 3,000 people were in attendance.
“We had some plainclothed police officers that were in the crowd as well. We train for these things. You think you have things covered and these things unfortunately happen,” Long said.
Ranstad believes the shooter used a high-powered rifle, not an AR-style weapon.
On Thursday, at a press conference, authorities released new information, describing the suspect as college-aged. Moreover, a firearm believed to have been used in the shooting has been discovered in a wooded area, and a footprint has also been recovered. The firearm was described as a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle,” NBC reported.
Speaking at the press conference, FBI special agent Robert Bohls revealed that they have an image of the shooter. He added that he doesn’t believe the community is at risk and that they are “exhausting every resource” to find the the person responsible.
Bohls explained that he “can’t comment specifically on his face” as it is part of the ongoing investigation. Even so, he added that they will “release that shortly.”
“We’re not sure how far he has gone yet,” Bohls commented, per the BBC.
Kirk was answering questions about mass shootings when the fatal shot struck him in the neck. Crowds panicked, screaming and running as the conservative activist was rushed by security to a vehicle and driven to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Ranstad said the shooting appeared meticulously planned.
“He probably had an exfil plan. Normally it’s crazy people who shoot 30 rounds. This was one shot, that was it,” he said.
”They had a plan”
“In my opinion, they had a plan. If you think about it, one shot, he’s not caught … when I saw the old dude, I knew it wasn’t him,” he added, referring to an older man briefly detained by police.
Two people were arrested in the immediate aftermath of the shooting but were subsequently released as it was found they had “no current ties” to Kirk’s death.
President Trump honored Charlie Kirk, describing him as “a martyr for truth and freedom.” In a four-minute video shared on Truth Social, he called Kirk’s death “a dark moment for America” and praised the late activist for inspiring millions. Trump has also directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff to pay tribute to Kirk.
