Police arrested a crime scene intruder Thursday after he allegedly breached the area where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University.
Russell Kim Kennington, 38, crossed two sets of yellow police tape before snapping photos, including a selfie, at the active crime scene, according to KUTV. Investigators said he later told officers he was “reminiscing and filming the scene.”
When officers ordered Kennington to identify himself, he fled but was caught after a short pursuit. “There was two sets of yellow crime scene tape up that Russell would have to of [sic] crossed to make it to the main incident crime scene,” the affidavit stated. Video from the scene shows Kennington in handcuffs being escorted to an unmarked police car.
Kennington admitted sneaking in by “following the shadows” to avoid detection. Police later recovered his phone and found the selfie he took inside the restricted area. He was booked into Utah County Jail on charges of capital obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony, and criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated by a sniper during his American Comeback Tour. A suspect is now in custody.
Vice President JD Vance escorted Kirk’s family aboard Air Force Two as his body was flown to Arizona. Kirk leaves behind his wife and two young children.
