Video: WARNING: DISTURBING FOOTAGE: The attack on Charlie Kirk

He was shot at the amphitheater of the university with hundreds gathering for his Q&A session, when shots were heard and blood began pouring from his neck. This was his first stop of his American Comeback Tour in which he planned to crisscross America and make the case of conservatism.

In that same year, encouraged by his mentor Bill Montgomery, Kirk forwent academic studies and founded the organization Turning Point USA at the age of 18. What started as a small initiative on American campuses grew within a few years into a large-scale conservative movement with thousands of chapters and enormous budgets. The organization is now considered the primary body in the US for political engagement among university and high school students.

Alongside his organizational work, Kirk built an impressive media career. He was a frequent guest on conservative networks, authored several successful books, and hosted a popular podcast and a nationally syndicated radio show. His digital platforms attract millions of followers and downloads, positioning him as one of the foremost voices in the conservative movement.

Over the years, Kirk also drew public criticism. It was alleged, among other things, that he fostered ties with extremist elements and promoted conspiracy theories, in addition to his organization's shift from emphasizing free-market values to a distinct Christian-nationalist identity. Nevertheless, his supporters viewed him as a central figure in recruiting and mobilizing young people for conservative political action and in bolstering the standing of President Donald Trump among the younger generation.

Kirk advocated for a foreign policy supportive of Israel within the conservative-evangelical discourse in the US. Since October 7, he voiced strong opinions against Hamas's actions and in support of Israel – including during confrontations with pro-Palestinian and Hamas supporters.

Beyond his organizational and media endeavors, Kirk cemented his position as one of President Donald Trump's closest allies. He was a central figure in recruiting young people for Trump's campaigns and co-led "Students for Trump," a student movement that worked to mobilize approximately one million students to vote in the 2020 election.

Kirk also played a significant role in the 2024 elections. Fundraising and grassroots efforts he led were directly credited with improving Trump's performance among young people, a demographic where Democrats traditionally held the lead. Kirk himself became a favored figure within the Trump family, and this past January, he joined Donald Trump Jr. on a trip to Greenland – a testament to the close personal and political bond that had formed.

Concurrently, Kirk was known as a steadfast supporter of Israel within the conservative camp. While a segment of the younger generation on the American right expresses skepticism toward traditional US foreign policy, Kirk was considered one of the leading voices in defense of Israel. He frequently confronted public displays of antisemitism among youth, especially following the October 7 attack, stressing that antisemitism is "poison for the mind" and "demonic evil."

Despite facing criticism for occasionally providing a platform to speakers with anti-Israel views and for voicing explicit opposition to calls to limit anti-Israel protests while stressing the importance of free speech, many in the pro-Israel community regarded him as a key ally in the struggle for the public opinion of the younger generation in the United States.

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By midday, authorities have released the names of the victims. These are their stories:

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Pash

Pash has worked as a maintenance man at Kol Torah yeshiva, where a mourning notice was issued describing him as "a devoted employee of the yeshiva, well known throughout the neighborhood, a man of great kindness who gave generously of his own money, and a constant Torah scholar." His funeral procession will depart from the yeshiva later in the day; the exact time will be announced.

Yaakov Pinto

Another victim was identified as Yaakov Pinto, 25, a Jerusalem resident who immigrated to Israel from Spain and married only recently. "Yaakov, a new immigrant from Spain, had just wed, and his future was cruelly cut short. Our hearts are with his young wife, his family, and his community in this painful moment," read a statement. Funeral details will be released separately.

Rabbi Yisrael Metsner

Also among the murdered was Rabbi Yisrael Metsner, 28, a resident of Ramot Bet in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yosef David

The fourth victim named was Rabbi Yosef David, 43, also from Ramot. He was standing at a bus stop, holding his religious books, on his way to his Torah studies, when he was gunned down.

Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag

The fifth victim was Rabbi Mordechai Steintzag, known as Dr. Mark. A longtime resident of Ramot Bet, Steintzag founded the well-known bakery "Dr. Mark's Pastry" in Beit Shemesh. Originally from the US, he immigrated to Israel decades ago. Trained as a cardiologist, he devoted his life to promoting healthy living in Israel, recognizing that the concept was lacking in the country at the time.

Sarah Mendelson

The sixth victim was Sarita (Sarah) Mendelson. She was murdered on her way to work in the Nayot neighborhood of Jerusalem.

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Seven victims were discovered inside the Taste of the City Lounge on 903 Franklin Avenue with multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims were urgently transported to local hospitals, police told The Sun. Their conditions remain unknown. Footage from the scene shows police lights flashing as ambulances rush down the street.

Video: The site of the attack in New York / Credit: Social media

Witnesses reported on social media a police cordon has been established with "crime tape stretched for blocks." Local media reported the suspect remains at large. The New York Police Department confirmed "there are no arrests at this time, and the investigation is ongoing." The NYPD urged residents to avoid the area while investigations proceed. Officers have been reviewing CCTV footage from the area and interviewing witnesses to piece together the shooting.

Taste of the City Lounge operates as a popular American and Caribbean diner with a full bar, hookah, and DJs. The incident follows another shooting in Times Square about a week earlier which left three people injured. A teenage gunman opened fire in the popular tourist hotspot as footage showed panicked crowds fleeing while cops swarmed a vehicle. Police told The Sun that gunfire erupted at 1:20 a.m. after a "verbal dispute between two people escalated."

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The shooting unfolded at approximately 9:08 p.m. ET near Third Street and F Street Northwest, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, during the American Jewish Committee's "Young Diplomats Reception." The event, themed "turning pain into purpose," brought together young professionals and diplomats from 6:30 to 9 p.m. ET. The victims, leaving the sold-out gathering, were fatally shot, prompting a swift response from authorities due to the proximity of the FBI's Washington Field Office.

Siegel's firsthand account illuminates the suspect's actions immediately after the shooting. Unaware of his role, she spoke to Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, inside the museum, where he had fled. She described him as "so shaken" that he appeared harmless, leading her to initially mistake him for a bystander.

Siegel's perception shifted when police arrived roughly 10 minutes later. As Rodriguez was apprehended, she told CNN she heard him shout "Free Palestine!" revealing his involvement. His later statement to police, "I did it for Gaza," suggests a possible ideological motive linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Sara Marinuzzi, another eyewitness, noted Rodriguez pretended to be a witness for over 10 minutes before admitting, "I did it for Gaza. Free Palestine!" aligning with Siegel's observations.

Rodriguez, previously unknown to law enforcement, was detained by event security inside the museum. He directed authorities to his discarded handgun, which was recovered, and admitted his involvement while chanting "Free Free Palestine," according to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith.

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces and DC Metropolitan Police are interviewing Rodriguez and analyzing evidence at the FBI's Washington Field Office. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed no active threat remains, reassuring the community.

Police received multiple calls about the shooting and found the victims – a man and a woman – unconscious and not breathing. Despite efforts by DC Fire and EMS, both succumbed to their injuries.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith said authorities received "multiple calls" for a shooting near Third Street and F Street Northwest around 9:08 p.m. ET. with responding officers discovering two adults – one male and one female – at the scene.

"Officers located one adult male and one adult female unconscious and not breathing at the scene," Smith stated. Despite emergency responders' attempts to save them, Smith confirmed that "both victims succumbed to their injuries."

The Israeli ambassador to the US revealed that the deceased were a couple who had been planning to become engaged. They were among four people approached by the gunman as they departed from the museum event.

Prior to the attack, security footage showed the suspect Illinois, pacing back and forth outside the museum. According to information provided to CNN, Rodriguez opened fire with a handgun before entering the museum.

Event security personnel detained Rodriguez inside the building. After being handcuffed, the suspect directed security to the location where he had discarded his weapon, which authorities subsequently recovered.

While in custody, Rodriguez reportedly chanted "Free free Palestine." Police officials informed CNN that Rodriguez had no prior contact with law enforcement and is believed to have acted alone in the attack.

President Donald Trump offered condolences on Truth Social, stating, "Antisemitism, hatred, and Radicalism have no place in the USA." Attorney General Pam Bondi, who visited the scene, pledged federal cooperation with DC authorities to ensure safety.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the attack "a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence." US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled it a "horrific act of terror," and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described it as a "sickening" instance of antisemitism.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed solidarity, stating that America and Israel "will stand united" in defending shared values. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared, "Israel will not surrender to terrorism," after discussions with Huckabee.

The attack has heightened concerns within the Jewish community. Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, urged resilience, advocating for "proud, open, Jewish lives." Federal and local authorities are prioritizing security, particularly for the Jewish community, with FBI police officers' rapid response highlighting robust coordination.

Authorities are examining Rodriguez's background and potential affiliations, with his statements and recovered weapon central to the probe.. Attorney General Bondi emphasized federal commitment to safety, stating that agencies will "work hand-in-hand" with DC authorities to protect citizens, especially the Jewish community.

"This murder didn't happen in a vacuum, but is the direct result of the incessant hatred by those who call to "Globalize the Intifada", Campaign Against Antisemitism CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa said, adding that anyone who "wondered about the context of whether a particular chant was hate speech or antisemitic, this is what it looks like when physically manifested." He stressed that CAM "has warned about the growing violence of the far-Left, and now it seems that our deepest fears have come true." According to CAM's statement, "the murderer did not know his victims were Israeli, he just knew they attended a Jewish event. When we say that the anti-Semites don't hate Jews because of Israel, but rather, they hate Israel because it is the Jewish homeland, this is what we mean."

CAM pointed to its annual Antisemitism data report, showing that "the most prominent characteristic of antisemitic incidents was the overwhelming dominance of far-Left ideology," which they say is a "decisive shift from 2023."

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Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the deaths in a statement on social media. "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," Noem said in a post on X. "We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share."

Video: The arrest of the suspect at the scene of the killing / Credit: Social media

CNN reported that Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith addressed the incident at a news conference, stating that investigators believe a single suspect, now in custody, carried out the shooting. "Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum," Smith said, before the suspect "approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire striking both of our decedents." According to Smith, the suspect entered the museum after the shooting where event security detained him. While in custody, the suspect repeatedly chanted "Free, Free Palestine," Smith revealed.

The victims were identified as embassy staff members who had a romantic relationship, CNN noted. Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter described them as a "young couple about to be engaged," during the news conference. "A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter added, highlighting the personal tragedy behind the attack.

According to a witness who spoke to Fox News, security guards let him in to the event premises, thinking he was a victim who was running for safety and even offered him water, after which he confessed to the crime after asking to speak with the cops, while saying, "Free Palestine! There's only one solution – Intifada revolution." The witness, Yoni Kalin said the shooter executed the victims by shooting from the back with "five to 10 shots."

In a statement released after the incident, Israeli Embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen confirmed that two staff members were shot "at close range" while attending a Jewish event at the museum, CNN reported. The Israeli ambassador was not present at the location during the shooting, according to an embassy spokesperson who spoke with CNN.

The suspect is a 30-year-old man from Chicago called Elias Rodriguez. His gun was also recovered during his arrest.

CNN mentioned that US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Israeli Ambassador Leiter was also present at the site following the shooting.

The American Jewish Committee was hosting an event at the museum when the attack occurred, CNN noted. Ted Deutch, the organization's CEO, released a statement expressing shock over the violence. "We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue," he said. "At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."

President Donald Trump condemned the attack on social media, CNN reported. "These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims," Trump wrote on X.

"These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!" —President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Z30bjAQOpZ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 22, 2025

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon characterized the incident as a hate crime, according to CNN. In a statement posted on X, Danon said: "The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC – in which Israeli embassy employees were also injured – is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."

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UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Officer Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning in what authorities believe was a targeted attack, according to a person familiar with the matter, report CNBC.

Thompson, 50, who led the nation's largest private health insurer, was shot in front of 1335 Avenue of the Americas. Emergency medical services rushed him to Mount Sinai West Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, said that her husband had received threats related to insurance coverage issues, though she was not aware of specific details. Despite these threats, she said he maintained his regular travel schedule. "I can't really give a thoughtful response right now," she said. "I just found this out and I'm trying to console my children."

The suspect, described as a white male, allegedly used a firearm with a silencer and was wearing a black hoodie, black pants, black sneakers with white trim, and a gray backpack. NYPD is offering up to $10,000 reward to anyone who can give meaningful information regarding the homicide.

The shooting occurred just hours before UnitedHealth Group's scheduled investor day at the Hilton, which was subsequently canceled. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Witty addressed the situation briefly before ending the event.

"I'm afraid that we – some of you may know we're dealing with very serious medical situation with one of our team members," Witty said during the investor day. "And as a result, I'm afraid we're going to have to bring to a close the event today, which I'm sure you'll understand."

Thompson, a resident of Maple Grove, Minnesota, had worked at UnitedHealth for over 20 years, joining in April 2004 after nearly seven years at PwC. He became CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021 after leading the insurance unit's government programs. A graduate of the University of Iowa, where he was valedictorian, Thompson is survived by his wife and two children.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the killing "horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community" in a post on X.

UnitedHealth Group, with its roughly $563 billion market cap, is the largest healthcare conglomerate in the United States by revenue. UnitedHealthcare, under Thompson's leadership, generated more than $281 billion in revenue last year, representing over two-thirds of UnitedHealth Group's annual revenue for 2023.

The company is currently dealing with the aftermath of a February ransomware attack on its subsidiary, Change Healthcare, which compromised the protected health information of at least 100 million people.

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New details have surfaced about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old suspect in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally. The FBI has officially confirmed Crooks as the armed assailant, while reports indicate the discovery of explosives in his vehicle and reveal the origins of the weapon used in the attack.

This is the scumbag Thomas Matthew Crooks, who tried to take Trump's life. pic.twitter.com/8QaG4msfvg

— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) July 14, 2024

The 20-year-old man from the nearby town of Bethel Park was discovered to have explosives in his vehicle at the scene. His father had purchased the rifle used in the shooting, which was a semi-automatic rifle resembling an AR-15. At the rally, Crooks was wearing a shirt branded with the logo of Demolition Ranch, a popular YouTube channel dedicated to firearms and weaponry.

Crooks was raised in a Pittsburgh suburb, in a small town approximately 40 miles south of Trump's rally location in Butler. NBC News reported that Pennsylvania voter records showed that he was a registered Republican. Curiously, he made a single $15 donation to ActBlue, an organization that supports left-leaning and Democratic politicians and causes, on January 20, 2021 – the day of President Biden's inauguration. Crooks was only 17 at the time of this donation. Records indicate he registered to vote as a Republican upon turning 18 in September of that year.

Footage of Donald Trump's shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks opening fire and then getting killed seconds later surfaces pic.twitter.com/2ctMtIkwUs

— Kollege Kidd Media (@KKMediaTingz) July 14, 2024

 According to the New York Times, Crooks did not have a criminal history reflected in Pennsylvania's public court records. According to The Tribune-Review, he completed his high school education at Bethel Park High School in 2022.

A former classmate spoke to the New York Post, saying, "He didn't come across as particularly odd or anything. I'd characterize him as a Republican." The classmate added, "He likely had a small circle of friends but wasn't very social. He tended to keep to himself." When questioned about Crooks' absence from the 2022 yearbook, the classmate speculated, "He might not have returned after the COVID pandemic."

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A gunman opened fire at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, injuring the ex-president before being fatally shot by law enforcement, according to footage obtained by TMZ.

TMZ reports that video footage shows the gunman, described as having longer brown hair and wearing a grey shirt and khaki pants, lying on his stomach on the rooftop and aiming through what appeared to be a scope or iron sights. Witnesses can be heard panicking as the first shots ring out.

#BREAKING: TMZ has acquired footage showing Thomas Matthew Crooks firing at Trump and then being killed by the secret service. pic.twitter.com/uYplTkeTDe

— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) July 14, 2024

Michael Difrischia, who captured the video, told TMZ that he and his wife Amber were watching the rally from outside the main grounds with 30 to 40 other people when Amber noticed the man climbing onto a nearby building. Difrischia said the gunman "shimmied up, then army crawled to his final position on the roof, all with a rifle in hand."

According to Difrischia, bystanders attempted to alert authorities about the gunman's presence, but he was still able to fire shots before being taken down by return fire. An eyewitness interviewed by the BBC corroborated Difrischia's account, stating that people had noticed the gunman and tried to raise the alarm, but "for some reason, he was able to get shots off on the ex-Prez before finally being taken out."

Meanwhile, an anonymous X user managed to deceive some of the world's largest media outlets by impersonating the assassin who shot at the former president. His account on X had previously been used for politically-oriented pranks. The account name translates to "foreskin," and the username roughly means "watching Jews," both indicators of antisemitic views.

The user posted a video claiming to be the assassin and expressing hatred for Trump and all Republicans. The user capitalized on his physical resemblance to images circulated online of the eliminated attacker. Several major news sites, including the New York Post, published the video and the man's image, whose real name is unknown.

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Chicago experienced a devastating surge in gun violence over the extended July 4 weekend, with more than 100 people shot and at least a dozen fatalities, according to police reports. CNN reports that from July 3 at 6 p.m. CT through July 7 at 6 a.m. CT, at least 100 individuals were struck by gunfire, with 17 succumbing to their injuries. An additional two shootings occurred later on July 7.

The wave of violence marks a significant increase from the previous year, with approximately 27% more shootings compared to the 2023 holiday weekend. Last year, the Chicago Sun-Times reported 73 people shot, including 11 fatalities, during the four days.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crisis on Friday, expressing deep concern over the recent events. "We are devastated by the recent violence that has left our city in a state of grief and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and communities impacted by these recent events," Johnson said in a statement. He affirmed the city's commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors.

Mayor Johnson puts on a good show with his faux outrage, but the mass shooting in Greater Grand Crossing is a direct result of his policies.

The mayor can huff and puff, but "working together" still requires leadership.

And @ChicagosMayor doesn't provide leadership whatsoever. pic.twitter.com/e4h9VwqllF

— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) July 6, 2024

In response to the escalating situation, city officials implemented several measures. These included canceling time off for police officers to maximize presence, activating an emergency services assistance center, and organizing a community rally to promote healing and support.

Despite these efforts, the violence continued unabated. Among the victims was an 8-year-old boy, shot alongside two other children aged 5 and 8. The police department's online records also indicate that several teenagers between 15 and 16 years old were among those shot.

While Chicago reported 617 homicides in 2023, police data showed a 13% decrease in murders compared to the previous year, when 709 people were killed. However, this recent spike in violence has raised concerns about the city's ongoing struggle with gun-related crimes.

The surge in shootings during the July 4 period is not unique to Chicago. According to CNN's analysis of Gun Violence Archive data, July 4 has consistently been the day with the highest number of mass shootings in the United States since 2014.

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A Juneteenth celebration in Oakland, California, turned violent when several people were shot. The Lake Merritt event on Wednesday night was largely peaceful, with as many as 5,000 in attendance, until a sideshow involving motorbikes and vehicles took place around 8:15 p.m. on the north side of the lake, police said in a news release Thursday.

A fight broke out down the street from the sideshow and a crowd gathered in the area of the brawl. "During that fight, multiple shots rang out," said Paul Chambers, OPD's strategic communications manager. While it was not immediately clear how many people were injured, police said at least four were struck by gunfire and were taken to a hospital.

BREAKING NEWS OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA: TOTAL CITY COLLAPSE. LAWLESSNESS ERUPTS AS MULTIPLE GUN BATTLES TAKE PLACE ON JUNETEENTH

Oakland, CA - In a shocking turn of events, multiple gun battles broke out across the city of Oakland during Juneteenth celebrations, leaving numerous… pic.twitter.com/NHPXJrsemg

— World Peace Movement (@darren_stallcup) June 20, 2024

As officers tried to get the crowd to safety several people struck OPD officers, Chambers said. At least one person was taken into custody for assaulting an officer, he said. Participants in the celebration were seen verbally harassing police with some people criticizing police response, saying they didn't respond quickly enough when people were injured, KTVU reported.

In 2021, a shooting during a Juneteenth celebration at Lake Merritt left several people injured and a 22-year-old San Francisco man dead.

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