Background: A sheriff monitors the scene at Utah Valley University after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson). Inset: In this image from the Republican National Convention video feed, Charlie Kirk makes remarks during the first day of the convention on Monday, August 24, 2020. (Republican National Convention via CNP /MediPunch/IPX).
A man has been arrested for allegedly sneaking into the site of political activist Charlie Kirk”s assassination — even as crime scene tape barred such access and scores of law enforcement officers stood close by.
Russell Kim Kennington, 38, was charged with suspicion of capital obstruction of justice, a felony, and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, Salt Lake City CBS affiliate KUTV reported. Kennington is believed to have taken pictures of the crime scene as well as taken videos, using a lab coat ostensibly to misrepresent himself as an authority.
Video posted to social media appears to show Kennington in handcuffs being questioned by law enforcement officers. The man is wearing a white lab coat over a red hooded sweatshirt, with what appear to be green scrubs underneath.
Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.
According to the local news station, the suspect told authorities he was “reminiscing and filming the scene.” In order to avoid being noticed, he said he was “following the shadows,” and he reportedly added that he didn’t want to “disturb” officers.
“There [were] two sets of yellow crime scene tape up that Russell would have to [have] crossed to make it to the main incident crime scene,” an affidavit concerning his arrest reportedly states. When authorities first tried to confront him, he allegedly tried to run, but was stopped.
Officers reportedly went through Kennington’s phone and found a selfie of himself at the crime scene. He was booked into the Utah County Jail.
Law&Crime has reached out to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office for more information.
A national correspondent for USA Today was shocked by the accessibility of the active crime scene.
“In 20 years of journalism on several continents I’ve never seen authorities leave an active crime scene open like this,” Will Carless wrote on social media. “Wild[.] Especially since there are hundreds of cops nearby.”
Kirk’s assassination has captured national — and, in many places, international — attention. He was speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when he was shot in the neck — apparently by a sniper’s bullet. He was pronounced dead not long after.
The suspect in the shooting remained at large until Friday morning, President Donald Trump announced that the believed shooter was arrested.
“I think — with a higher degree of certainty — we have him in custody,” he said on Fox News. “I think we’re in great shape. He’s in custody.”
Several reports have identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
