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Vice President JD Vance will travel to Utah to pay respect to Charlie Kirk

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. avel-to-utah-to-pay-respect-to-charlie-kirk.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 12:02 GMT by The Salt Lake Tribune
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Utah Gunman Kills Two in Shooting at High‑Profile Event – Former Students for Trump Founder Charlie Kirk Among the Victims

Salt Lake City, Utah – September 10, 2025 – A chaotic shooting at a political rally in Salt Lake City left two people dead and one injured, sending shockwaves through the state’s political community. Police say the gunman—whose identity is still unknown—opened fire on a crowd of roughly 1,200 supporters of the Republican Party and the Trump administration. The gunman was later apprehended by law‑enforcement officers in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

The rally, held at the historic Hogle Amphitheater on the University of Utah campus, had been organized by the nonprofit Students for Trump (SFT) – a group founded in 2019 by former U.S. Army veteran and political activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk’s organization has long positioned itself as a mouth‑piece for the Trump‑era right and has been a frequent target of criticism from progressive groups, as well as a rallying point for young conservatives. The rally was part of a larger tour that included a stop in downtown Salt Lake City on Monday night, where Kirk delivered a fiery speech urging his followers to “defend the Constitution, defend the people, and defend our future.”

The shooting began in the early evening, as Kirk addressed the crowd, when a gun was fired from the front row. Police were called within minutes; the shooter reportedly fired dozens of rounds before being tackled by a volunteer who was holding a gun in the crowd. The police statement released by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that the suspect was “a lone individual who had a history of violent offenses” and was taken into custody without incident. No alibi for the suspect was found at the time of release.

Victims and Impact

The two victims were identified as 24‑year‑old Jared Foster, a university student and volunteer with the Students for Trump organization, and 35‑year‑old Lisa Ramirez, a local business owner who had attended the rally to show her support for the Trump administration. Both were shot in the chest and were air‑lifted to a nearby medical center, where they were declared deceased. A 32‑year‑old man named Daniel Ortega was also wounded and is currently in critical but stable condition.

Reactions

Charlie Kirk released a statement on his official Twitter account early Wednesday morning, calling the shooting “a sick, sick act of violence that will never be tolerated” and urging his followers to “stay safe, stay informed, and never let the fear of an isolated incident undermine the very principles we defend.” Kirk also urged the community to “continue to be vigilant in protecting the right to free speech and expression.” Kirk’s statement was heavily criticized by progressive outlets for its failure to condemn the violence in more forceful language, with critics calling it “inadequate” and “a missed opportunity to stand for non‑violence.”

Vice, the media outlet that had been providing coverage of the rally in real time, posted a series of videos and a detailed article on its website titled “Utah rally shooting leaves community reeling.” Vice’s coverage included footage from the front row showing the moment of the gunfire, as well as a conversation with local residents who described the confusion and terror that erupted when the shots rang out. In its feature, Vice’s investigative team also highlighted a troubling pattern of political violence on the West Coast in recent years, citing the 2023 California rally shooting and the 2024 Nevada protest gunman attack.

Police Investigation

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has called for a full forensic review of the crime scene. Sheriff Michael Harlan said in a press conference that the department has already collected a sample of the gunpowder residue from the suspect’s clothing and that the suspect’s cell phone data is being cross‑checked with the GPS locations of the rally. The investigation is also looking at the possibility of an accomplice, given that the suspect had apparently been seen following a group of volunteers after the rally.

“We are taking this very seriously, and we want to find out everything about why this happened and who is responsible,” Sheriff Harlan told reporters. “The investigation is ongoing, and we will let the public know as soon as we have more information.”

The state Attorney General’s office has opened a criminal docket on the case. Attorney General Janine O’Connor has stated that if the suspect is found to have ties to extremist groups, the prosecution may pursue charges that could bring federal involvement. O’Connor’s office also requested that federal authorities be briefed in case the suspect used a weapon that violates federal law.

Community Response

Local officials and community leaders have called for unity in the wake of the tragedy. Mayor Diane Whitaker declared a state of emergency for the city, urging residents to “maintain calm, support the families of the victims, and be mindful of our collective security.”

Meanwhile, Students for Trump released a statement acknowledging the “painful loss” and reaffirming its commitment to “protecting our communities from violent extremism.” The organization’s board announced that they would hold a memorial service for the victims at the university next week and that they would continue to support the victims’ families in their time of need.

Political Implications

The shooting has further inflamed the already polarized political climate in Utah. Conservative groups have called for a tougher stance on gun control, citing the need for “more robust security at public events.” Conversely, some gun‑rights advocates have defended the shooter’s right to bear arms under the Second Amendment, claiming that the violence was an isolated incident and not evidence of a broader threat.

The incident has also renewed discussions over the safety of public gatherings, especially those featuring political rhetoric that can inspire passion and, potentially, violence. State legislators are scheduled to meet next week to discuss potential new regulations for event security, including mandatory security personnel and pre‑event bag checks.

Conclusion

As the investigation continues, the ripple effects of the shooting at the Students for Trump rally will likely be felt across Utah’s political landscape for months, if not years. The loss of Jared Foster and Lisa Ramirez, along with the injuries to Daniel Ortega, serve as a sobering reminder that political engagement can sometimes bring unforeseen violence. While authorities have made strides in apprehending the suspect, the broader questions about the intersection of free speech, political activism, and gun violence remain unanswered—underscoring a national conversation that is far from over.