Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at Utah Event; NASA, NATO and School Shooting Make Headlines

Lead: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University, while NATO downed Russian drones, a school shooting wounded three students and NASA’s Mars rover revealed signs of ancient life-all on Sept. 10, 2025.

Nut Graf: Wednesday’s events underscore a spectrum of crises-from domestic political violence to escalating international tensions and groundbreaking scientific discoveries-highlighting the volatile and unpredictable nature of global and local affairs.

Domestic Tragedy: Kirk’s Death in Utah

  • Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and prominent conservative voice, was shot and killed Wednesday evening at an event held on campus at Utah Valley University. Sources say the suspect remains at large, prompting a multi-agency manhunt by local and federal authorities.

International Tensions: Russian Drones Downed

  • Poland reported it intercepted and shot down multiple Russian drones in its airspace during a Ukrainian counterattack, marking the latest spillover of the Russia-Ukraine war into NATO territory. Warsaw condemned the incursion as a “blatant violation of international law” and vowed to bolster air defenses along its eastern border .

Science Breakthrough: Mars Rover Finds Ancient Life Clues

  • NASA’s Perseverance rover uncovered the strongest evidence yet of possible ancient microbial life in rock samples from Jezero Crater, including organic molecules and mineral deposits typically formed in watery environments. Mission scientists called the findings a “game changer” for understanding Mars’s habitability .

Education Under Siege: Evergreen High School Shooting

  • A shooter opened fire at Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington, Wednesday morning, wounding three students before fleeing the scene. Authorities have not identified a motive and continue to search for the assailant, sparking renewed debates over school security measures.

Economy & Culture in Brief

  • Elon Musk lost his title as the world’s richest person after stock fluctuations propelled Larry Ellison to No. 1 .
  • The FBI faces internal turmoil as agents allege a “retribution purge” within the bureau in a new lawsuit filed Wednesday.
  • President Biden defended his record, urging critics not to let “an individual’s ego” overshadow the administration’s accomplishments.

-CBS News Staff