A 38-year-old man was arrested after allegedly sneaking onto the crime scene where political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, despite clear crime scene tape and a heavy police presence.
Russell Kim Kennington faces charges of capital obstruction of justice, a felony, and criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, according to Salt Lake City’s CBS affiliate KUTV. Authorities say Kennington wore a lab coat to disguise himself as an official and took photos and videos at the scene.
Social media footage shows Kennington in handcuffs being questioned by law enforcement officers. He is seen wearing a white lab coat over a red hoodie and green scrubs. According to the news report, Kennington told officers he was “reminiscing and filming the scene” and tried to avoid detection by “following the shadows.” He also claimed he did not want to disturb the officers working nearby.
An affidavit states Kennington crossed two layers of yellow crime scene tape to reach the main area of investigation. When officers approached, he reportedly attempted to flee but was apprehended. Police also discovered a selfie Kennington took at the crime scene on his phone. He has been booked into Utah County Jail.
Law&Crime has contacted the Utah County Sheriff’s Office for further details.
WATCH: Man in lab coat ARRESTED at Charlie Kirk assassination site in Utah
Told cops he was ‘reminiscing and filming the scene’
Russell Kim Kennington has been charged with obstruction of justice and trespass pic.twitter.com/enkRplasG2
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) September 12, 2025
USA Today national correspondent Will Carless expressed surprise at how accessible the active crime scene was. “In 20 years of journalism on several continents, I’ve never seen authorities leave an active crime scene open like this,” he tweeted. “Wild. Especially with hundreds of cops nearby.”
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has drawn widespread attention. Kirk was shot in the neck by what appeared to be a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday and was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The suspect remained at large until Friday morning, when former President Donald Trump announced the believed shooter’s arrest.
“I think — with a higher degree of certainty — we have him in custody,” Trump said on Fox News. “I think we’re in great shape. He’s in custody.”
Reports have identified the suspected shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.