Charges of attempted murder and terrorism have been formally filed against the man accused of opening fire at a political rally featuring prominent conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings announced the severe charges against 31-year-old Brandon C. Parrish, who is alleged to have targeted the Turning Point USA event in Layton, Utah, on Sunday evening.
The shocking incident, which sent panic through the crowded auditorium, left one individual injured from shrapnel before the alleged assailant was swiftly subdued by members of the audience and subsequently arrested.
In a statement that underscores the gravity of the attack, Prosecutor Rawlings stated the charges reflect that the shooting was "intended to intimidate or coerce the civilian population or to influence government policy"—a key component of the terrorism enhancement under Utah law.
Court documents reveal a more disturbing picture, alleging that Parrish had meticulously planned the attack. He is accused of conducting reconnaissance at the venue a day prior and arriving on the day armed with two handguns, additional ammunition, and a knife.
While the motive remains under active investigation by the FBI and local law enforcement, the charges suggest a politically motivated act of violence aimed at disrupting a gathering of a specific ideological group.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was not physically harmed in the incident. The organisation has since commended the bravery of those who intervened and emphasised its commitment to continuing its campus activism across the United States.
Parrish is currently held without bail in the Davis County jail. If convicted on all counts, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment.
