Fact Check: Charlie Kirk shooter seen fleeing? No, video shows suspect in Nevada shooting
A video has been circulating online, claiming it shows the shooter of Charlie Kirk escaping.
By - Md Mahfooz Alam
Claim:The video shows the shooter of Charlie Kirk escaping after committing the crime.
Fact:The claim is false. The video shows the alleged shooter escaping after shooting up the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada, in July 2025.
Hyderabad: Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, 31, who was also known to be close to US President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.
The suspected sniper remains at large, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. The shooting, which occurred during an outdoor event attended by nearly 3,000 people, has drawn bipartisan condemnation.
Meanwhile, a video showing a man running is being widely circulated on social media, claiming it shows the shooter of Kirk escaping after the shooting.
An X user shared the video with the caption, “New video shows Charlie Kirk’s shooter escaping after the shooting.” (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false, as the video is from July 2025, showing the aftermath of a shooting from the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada.
A reverse image search of the video’s keyframe led to an extended version published by NBC-affiliated KRNV News 4 on July 30, titled, ‘Viral video captures Grand Sierra Resort mass shooting suspect running from scene.’
According to KRNV News 4, Sparks Police confirmed the viral video shows the man suspected of shooting six people at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort. Dressed in dark clothing, the suspect is seen fleeing from the front of the resort near the valet area and heading into the front parking lot.
According to a report by NPR News published on July 29, a gunman opened fire at the valet area of the Grand Sierra Resort casino in Reno, Nevada, killing three people and injuring three others on July 28.
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Dakota Hawver, fired over 80 rounds, targeting bystanders before fleeing on foot. Authorities confirmed no known ties between the suspect and victims, and the motive remains unclear, though court documents revealed recent child support obligations for Hawver. Swift police and medical response helped prevent further casualties during this tragic shooting at a high-profile venue.
According to a report by CBS News on July 31, the suspect engaged in a gunfight with responding police officers and a security guard, during which the suspect was shot and later died in the hospital. This report also mentioned that the suspect was previously identified by Nevada authorities as 26-year-old Reno resident Dakota Hawver.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral video does not show the shooter of Charlie Kirk, who was shot on September 10. The video has been online at least since July 2025. The claim is false.
