Shortly after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, a private jet departed Provo Airport (PVU) less than 15 minutes away. The flight triggered online theories about the assassin’s escape route. A Bombardier Challenger 300, registered under Derek Maxfield, CEO of marketing company Komigo, took off at 1:11 pm local time and briefly disabled its radar services as it approached Arizona’s northern border before reactivating them later.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the speculation in a statement, refuting claims that the flight was linked to Kirk’s assassination. He clarified that radar services were not completely turned off but temporarily suspended by mutual agreement between the pilot and air traffic control (ATC), a standard practice for private flights. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plane’s transponder remained active throughout the journey, ensuring continuous tracking.
Maxfield, who owns the jet, stated the flight followed a prearranged plan. The aircraft departed PVU with two pilots and no passengers, then picked up seven individuals in Page, Arizona, before returning to Utah. He emphasized that no law enforcement had contacted anyone associated with the flight. “Any suggestion connecting this trip to Mr. Kirk’s murder is inaccurate and baseless,” Maxfield asserted.
The FAA confirmed the plane’s movements aligned with its radar data and flight plan, dismissing conspiracy theories about the jet’s route.
