Family of Man Wrongly Accused in Charlie Kirk Slaying Pleads for End to Harassment

The family of a North Texas man wrongly identified during the search for the individual responsible for the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is urging the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and sharing personal details. At the same time, officials continue to affirm that he has no ties to the incident.

Zachariah Ahmed Qureshi, 25, was apprehended as a person of interest shortly after the shooting incident on September 10 at Utah Valley University, but he has since been released. Authorities have stated that there is no evidence linking him to Kirk’s death.

The Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI provided a joint update, stating that two individuals who had been detained for questioning were released and “were never suspects.” This underscores the ongoing search for the rooftop gunman who opened fire during Kirk's campus appearance.

Qureshi's family claims that social media and various other platforms widely shared his name and images on X, along with personal details. Authorities have been informed about the doxxing incident. Local law enforcement is actively involved in helping to ensure their safety.

“Zach Qureshi, 25, a newly engaged MBA student, was present at the event where Charlie Kirk was shot, standing approximately 25 feet away,” his mother, Juliette Qureshi, stated, noting that he had no additional information for investigators beyond what other witnesses reported.

Confusion intensified when FBI Director Kash Patel first declared on X that a suspect linked to the shooting was in custody, a statement he subsequently retracted after the individual was released post-interrogation. The episode faced backlash for its ongoing, fragmented updates regarding an active investigation, leading to fresh appeals for caution in online discourse.

Kirk, 31, a co-founder of Turning Point USA and a close associate of President Donald Trump, was shot once during an outdoor event on UVU’s campus in Orem. Authorities report that the assault was deliberate; detectives have found a bolt-action rifle in the vicinity and have unveiled new images of a person of interest as the extensive search effort progresses. UVU has announced that there is no current threat to the campus, yet it has decided to extend its closure through the weekend while officers continue to process evidence. 

Classes and events will remain suspended during this period. The school encouraged the community to use official sources for information.

Officials and news organizations have warned against spreading unverified information following the shooting, highlighting the damage done when innocent individuals are wrongly identified. The family of Qureshi has requested the removal of any posts that identify him or share personal details, urging that any tips be directed to law enforcement instead.

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