A man was reportedly arrested Thursday on multiple charges after he snuck into the crime scene where Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was killed at Utah Valley University, according to an affidavit.
Authorities apprehended Russell Kim Kennington, 38, on suspicion of capital obstruction of justice and criminal trespass charges, KUTV reported, citing an affidavit. He allegedly strode past visible crime scene tape bearing the words “Crime/Police/Do Not Cross” and started capturing pictures and footage of evidence.
Kennington, who was wearing a white lab coat, ran toward the university’s Woodbury Building when detectives and agents tried to confront him, where he was stopped, the affidavit alleged.
Prowler wearing lab coat arrested after sneaking into Charlie Kirk assassination crime scene to snap selfie, photos: report https://t.co/XYwofC6Giv pic.twitter.com/2vdQy0Czah
— New York Post (@nypost) September 12, 2025
Kennington identified himself and was placed in handcuffs, according to the documents. He allegedly told authorities he was “reminiscing and filming the scene” where Kirk was killed. Law enforcement officials secured Kennington’s phone and discovered a picture of himself he had allegedly taken at the crime scene.
Kennington claimed he didn’t want to “disturb” the law enforcement officials at the crime scene and tried to avoid detection, according to the affidavit. He would have had to cross two sets of crime scene tape to reach the main crime scene, the documents read.
Authorities booked Kennington into the Utah County Jail, KUTV reported.
Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The individual accused of shooting Kirk was identified Friday as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson’s ALP Donates $1 Million To Kirk Family, Launches Donation Site)
During a Thursday press conference, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shared new footage of an individual allegedly fleeing the scene after Kirk had been shot.
Air Force Two flew Kirk’s casket Thursday from Utah to Arizona. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance accompanied Kirk’s family and friends, with the vice president helping carry Kirk’s casket.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he would posthumously award the Turning Point USA founder the Presidential Medal of Freedom.