In a bizarre twist to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, Michael Mallinson, a 77-year-old Canadian citizen, found himself wrongfully accused of being the shooter in the political activist’s murder.

The shocking case of mistaken identity left Mallinson, who was shopping with his wife in Toronto, hundreds of miles away from the crime scene, receiving violent threats and harassing messages after his old photo was spread online by a social media account. The image was mistakenly linked to the assassination, accusing him of being the sniper who killed Kirk.

The false accusations have not only shaken Mallinson’s sense of safety but also raised serious questions about the unchecked nature of information spreading online and its impact on innocent people.

A Life Turned Upside Down

Michael Mallinson’s quiet life in Toronto was turned upside down when a social media account on X (formerly Twitter) mistakenly posted a photo of him, claiming he was the assassin of Charlie Kirk. The post quickly went viral, with users calling for the immediate capture of the alleged gunman.

Mallinson’s daughter was the first to alert him to the false claims, urging him to immediately delete all his social media accounts. She was horrified to see her father’s image circulating across the internet, labeled as the killer of a prominent conservative figure. The photos, which were from Mallinson’s past, had been used by the account to back up its claims, leaving the elderly man in a state of shock and disbelief.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was at the store with my wife, miles away from the crime scene in Toronto when all of this started,” Mallinson shared in an emotional interview. “I started receiving hate messages—angry, hateful things—telling me I should pay for what I supposedly did. It was terrifying. I didn’t know who to trust.”

The confusion continued as more and more people shared the image. Mallinson found himself in a living nightmare, with his personal safety threatened, and his name linked to a crime he was not involved in.

The Connection to Charlie Kirk’s Murder

Charlie Kirk, one of the most influential figures in the conservative movement, was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Over 3,000 people were present at the time, and the shooting was carried out from a rooftop by a sniper. The FBI quickly launched an investigation, and video footage from the scene showed a shadowy figure on the roof firing a single shot before running away.

In the aftermath of the murder, the FBI apprehended two suspects, but both were quickly released after no connection to the shooting was found. The case remained unsolved, with investigators still on the hunt for the sniper.

The situation escalated further when social media users, desperate for answers, began circulating various photos of suspects in the case. One of the images, from a social media account, was wrongly identified as being of the shooter—Michael Mallinson’s old photo.

Despite the confusion, Mallinson was never involved in the incident. His whereabouts on the day of Kirk’s murder were confirmed to be in Toronto, far from the scene. His alibi was unassailable, but the damage was done.

A Dangerous, Unchecked Information Age

The mistaken identification of Michael Mallinson as the assassin has raised concerns about the power of social media and the ease with which misinformation can spread. The consequences of fake news and false accusations are all too clear in this case, as Mallinson’s life was turned upside down by a single, misleading post.

“It’s terrifying how quickly things can spiral out of control,” Mallinson remarked. “One photo, one mistake, and suddenly my life is in danger. I don’t even know who to trust anymore.”

In the wake of this incident, many are calling for more accountability and better regulation on social media platforms, where users can easily spread information without verifying its truthfulness.

A Deadly Event with Little Security

The shooting of Charlie Kirk occurred during a public event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was addressing a crowd of supporters. According to several witnesses, the event had minimal security measures—a fact that some say may have contributed to the ease with which the assassin was able to access the area.

Eyewitnesses reported that there were no metal detectors at the event, and bags were not checked as attendees entered. Furthermore, only six plainclothes officers were present, raising questions about whether the university was prepared for an incident of this magnitude.

Many have now speculated that the lack of security allowed the shooter to access the roof and carry out the assassination without detection. The Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has called the event a “political assassination”, and promised that if the suspect is caught, they will face capital punishment.

The FBI’s Continued Search for the Assassin

Despite the mistaken identity of Mallinson, the FBI is continuing its search for the actual killer. The case has received national attention, with many wondering how the assassin could have evaded capture for so long. The agency’s ongoing investigation is focused on tracking down leads and sifting through any new evidence that may come to light.

So far, the investigation has not led to any significant breakthroughs, but the FBI’s manhunt continues, with law enforcement asking the public for any information that could help.

Mallinson’s Response and Moving Forward

In the aftermath of the false accusations, Michael Mallinson has taken steps to protect his privacy. “I don’t feel safe anymore,” Mallinson admitted. “That’s why I’ve decided to use a fake name online. I just want to live my life in peace.”

He’s now avoiding public attention and has taken down his social media accounts in an effort to protect himself from further harassment.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of how easily misinformation can ruin lives, and how critical it is to approach sensitive matters with caution in the digital age. While Mallinson is thankfully safe and the FBI continues its search for the true assassin, this case will likely resonate as a cautionary tale for how quickly social media can impact the lives of innocent people.