Charlie Kirk’s casket flown back to Arizona by Air Force Two

PHOENIX – A casket carrying the body of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk was flown back to Phoenix on Sept. 11.

The backstory:

Kirk, who a founder of Turning Point USA, died after he was shot while speaking at a Utah Valley University event in Orem, Utah.

Graphic video posted to social media shows Kirk on stage, sitting in a chair, talking into a microphone. A single gunshot was heard and Kirk’s head thrust back as he fell. People started screaming and running away, the video shows.

Law enforcement initially arrested George Zinn, who was later released and charged with obstruction by the Utah Valley University police, according to a Utah Department of Public Safety news release.

A second suspect, Zacharia Qureshi, was taken into custody and released after being interviewed.

“There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter,” officials with Utah DPS said.  

What’s New:

Air Force Two, which carried Kirk’s remains, landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport during the afternoon hours of Thursday. The casket was subsequently taken to a funeral home within the Valley. Turning Point USA is headquartered in Phoenix.

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