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US Army Sgt. Nicholas Ranstad told an American news outlet that the assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is not a “trained sniper”.
A screengrab from a social media video shows US right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of US President Donald Trump speaking during an event at Utah Valley University, moments before being fatally shot, in Orem, Utah, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
US Army Sergeant Nicholas Ranstad on Thursday said that the assassin who shot conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk fatally was not “a trained soldier or sniper” but “just an internet shooter”.
“They’re probably just an internet shooter, not a sniper or trained soldier,” Ranstad was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
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He highlighted that the unidentified gunman was most likely self-taught and did not receive military-grade firearm training.
He also said that the security at the area was “super light,” a sentiment echoed by witnesses who were at the site.
Tyler McGettigan, an attendee, told broadcaster NBC News that he was surprised that he wasn’t asked to go through security before entering the event.
Kirk’s talk at the school required a ticket with a scannable code, which McGettigan told the broadcaster that he had printed out and brought with him, but did not need the ticket to get into the amphitheater where Kirk spoke.
“No one checked the barcode or the QR code. There was no checkpoint to get in. It was literally, anyone could walk in if they wanted,” McGettigan was quoted as saying by NBC News.
Justin Hickens, another attendee, and a third attendee also told the outlet that there were no metal detectors posted outside.
Jeb Jacobi, a student who volunteered at the event, recalled about two security guards standing near where Kirk would be speaking. Ahead of the event, police cleared protesters who had set up on the roof above where Kirk was set to speak.
Many videos have emerged on social media where a figure is seen on a rooftop, and many conjecture that could be the gunman. News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of those videos.
Meanwhile, Ranstad told the Daily Mail that since there was no crime there, the threat was apparently “low.” “The security was super light, no crime at that school. So, I guess the threat was low, apparently. That’s a buffet for someone who wanted to kill someone,” Ranstad was quoted as saying by the UK-based newspaper.
Ranstad, who holds the record for the longest American kill in Afghanistan, described the open-air area where Kirk was seated as a “fishbowl,” surrounded by high ground and multi-level buildings.
University officials believe the gunman was positioned atop the Losee Center Building, directly across from Kirk, who was under a pop-up tent in the crowded UVU Fountain Courtyard. The event was free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ranstad estimated that the single fatal shot, which rang out across the campus, was fired from more than 200 yards away, again highlighting that the lax security created ideal conditions for the shooter to enter unnoticed.
“When you have events like that, you look at the security, if you push 250, 300 yards, it’s an easy shot,” he said.
“Not to mention out in the open, wind is low out in the country. It’s not like in the city where a bullet flying past the buildings will move more,” Ranstad further added.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
New York, United States of America (USA)
September 11, 2025, 18:40 IST
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