When Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA was shot dead during a campus speech on September 10, 2025, the tragedy set off a chain reaction that went far beyond the investigation.
The shooting took place at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, at roughly 7:30 p.m. MDT. Within hours, Amazon.com listed three brand‑new titles that claimed to chronicle the very event that had just unfolded.
How the Books Appeared So Quickly
One of the titles, The Shooting of Charlie Kirk: A Comprehensive Account of the Utah Valley University Attack, showed a publication date of September 9, 2025 – a full day before the murder. Another, The Charlie Kirk Shooting: A Nation on Edge, was priced at $7.99 and was available in both paperback and audio formats. The Shooting of Charlie Kirk was, therefore, being sold as a “real‑time” account before the facts were even known.
Social‑media users seized on the discrepancy. A viral post on X (formerly Twitter) at 10:24 a.m. ET on September 11 claimed, “Amazon requires 72 hours to approve a book. How does a book about the murder go live the day before?” The post was amplified by InfoWars founder Alex Jones, who called the listings a “psyop.”
Amazon’s Response and the Technical Glitch
By Thursday evening, September 11, Amazon pulled the titles from its catalog. In a statement to Straight Arrow News, an Amazon spokesperson said, “The title in question is no longer for sale.” The Economic Times quoted the same spokesperson adding, “Due to a technical issue, the date of publication that had been displayed for this title was incorrect. The book was actually published late in the afternoon on September 10.”
Amazon’s content guidelines, the spokesperson explained, prohibit speculative or unverified claims about ongoing events. When the books slipped through the automated screening, they were flagged and removed once the error was spotted.
Who Wrote the Books?
The author listed for at least one of the titles was Anastasia J. Casey. Researchers at Straight Arrow News noted that Casey’s author profile was sparse and that several of her other works appeared to be AI‑generated as well. The book descriptions themselves made bold claims – for example, one proclaimed it contained “the full story on the quick arrest of the Charlie Kirk shooter,” even though police had not made an arrest by September 12.
AFP’s Fact‑Check team, in a report dated September 17, flagged the incident as part of a growing trend of AI‑produced “quick‑turn” books that aim to capitalize on breaking news. The agency warned that such content erodes public trust in legitimate publishing channels.
Law‑Enforcement Investigation
Local authorities identified a “person of interest” captured on video, but have not labeled him a suspect. The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office (FBI Salt Lake City) is coordinating with Utah County police and university security. As of September 12, a massive manhunt was underway, with officials urging anyone with information to come forward.
Utah Valley University, a public institution serving roughly 42,000 students on a 260‑acre campus, has suspended all public events while it works with law‑enforcement to secure the grounds. The university’s main address is 800 West University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84058.
Why This Matters Beyond the Tragedy
The episode highlights three intersecting issues that could reshape how we consume news:
- AI‑generated content is now fast enough to appear almost simultaneously with real‑world events, blurring the line between reporting and speculation.
- Major e‑commerce platforms like Amazon still rely on automated vetting systems that can be gamed or suffer glitches.
- Conspiracy‑fueling personalities amplify any perceived inconsistency, turning a technical error into a nationwide rumor mill.
Experts at the University of Utah’s Media Studies department warn that without stronger oversight, “the market for instant‑publish books becomes a breeding ground for misinformation.”
What’s Next?
Amazon says it is reviewing its publishing workflow to prevent future date‑display errors. Meanwhile, the FBI hopes to locate the shooter within weeks, though the investigation remains fluid.
For readers, the key takeaway is to treat any “real‑time” book about a breaking story with skepticism until independent verification appears. As the tech landscape evolves, the responsibility to verify facts will increasingly fall on each of us.
Key Facts
- Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MDT.
- Three AI‑generated books about the murder appeared on Amazon within hours, one showing a September 9 publication date.
- Amazon removed the titles on September 11, citing a technical error that displayed the wrong date.
- InfoWars’ Alex Jones amplified the incident as a potential “psyop.”
- The FBI and local law‑enforcement are still searching for the shooter, identified only as a person of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Amazon list books before the murder happened?
A technical glitch caused the publication date on the product page to show September 9 instead of the actual release on September 10. Amazon confirmed the error and pulled the titles once discovered.
Who is the author listed for the controversial books?
The author appears to be Anastasia J. Casey. Investigation suggests the name is attached to AI‑generated manuscripts, and no verifiable literary background has been found.
What role did Alex Jones play in spreading the theory?
Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, reposted the X claim and framed the premature book listings as evidence of a coordinated “psyop,” which helped the story go viral across fringe platforms.
Is there evidence that the books were truly AI‑generated?
Both the writing style and the rapid turnaround align with known AI‑text generators. Fact‑checkers noted similarities to other “quick‑publish” titles that were later identified as AI‑written.
What is the current status of the murder investigation?
Law‑enforcement has released footage of a person of interest but has not made any arrests. The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office is leading a multi‑agency effort to locate the shooter.
