A person wearing a white lab coat was arrested Thursday for allegedly sneaking into the realm the place Charlie Kirk was assassinated, telling police he was “reminiscing and filming the scene.”
Russell Kim Kennington — who officers say isn’t a suspect in Kirk’s homicide — crossed two units of yellow crime scene tape at Utah Valley College campus earlier than officers found he snapped a selfie and took photographs of the realm and investigators, KUTV reported.
When police ordered Kennington, 38, to determine himself, he allegedly fled however was finally caught after a brief pursuit.
“There was two units of yellow crime scene tape up that Russell must of crossed to make it to the primary incident crime scene,” the affidavit, obtained by KUTV, acknowledged.
Video obtained by the outlet exhibits the crime scene intruder being escorted in handcuffs by authorities into the again of an unmarked police car.
Following his arrest, Kennington recognized himself and informed police he was “reminiscing and filming the scene.”
The alleged prowler mentioned that he entered the energetic crime scene by “following the shadows” and was trying to keep away from detection, in order to not “disturb” the continued investigation.
Cops mentioned they discovered a selfie the 38-year-old had snapped on the scene after accessing his telephone.
Kennington was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail.
He has been charged with suspicion of capital obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, and felony trespass, a category B misdemeanor, in line with the outlet.
Kirk was addressing an viewers of round 3,000 individuals on the inaugural cease for his nationwide American Comeback Tour when he was fatally shot by a sniper, who was perched on the Losee Heart constructing, round 200 yards away.
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He was about 20 minutes into the occasion, answering a query about mass shootings by transgender individuals within the US, when the tragedy unfolded.
The particular person of curiosity in Kirk’s assassination was nonetheless at massive on Thursday night.
New footage launched by the FBI on Thursday confirmed the alleged murderer leaping off his rooftop sniper’s den after killing Kirk in the course of the activist’s famed “Show Me Unsuitable” debate.
Kirk leaves behind his spouse, former Miss Arizona Erika Frantzve, and two younger kids.
Vice President JD Vance organized for Kirk’s physique to be flown out of Roland R. Wright Air Nationwide Guard Base in Salt Lake Metropolis aboard Air Power 2 again to his residence state of Arizona on Thursday.
The vice chairman and second woman, Usha Vance, accompanied the political activist’s widow, household, and buddies on the flight, touchdown at Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport later that day.
Kirk’s picket casket was then transferred by hearse to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
