Screenshots circulating on social media show a book titled The Shooting of Charlie Kirk: A Comprehensive Account of the Utah Valley University Attack, the Aftermath, and America’s Response, credited to an author named Anastasia J Casey.
The book was listed on Amazon at US$6.99, with a publication date of Tuesday, 9 September 2025 — one day before Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on campus.
The listing has since been removed, but its sudden appearance has fuelled conspiracy theories, with many online questioning how a book could describe an event before it happened.
What the book said
An archived version of the Amazon page shows that the book claimed to provide “an in-depth, humanised account” of the attack, the aftermath, and “America’s response.”
It included timelines, testimonies, and reflections on Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
The description suggested the book examined political polarisation, campus safety, and the national debate around free speech. However, the text itself raised more questions because it referenced events from 10 September 2025 — the day of the shooting — despite showing a 9 September publication date.
The book briefly received five 1-star reviews before being pulled from Amazon’s platform.
Who is Anastasia J Casey?
Little is known about Anastasia J Casey. No author biography or prior works were visible on the Amazon page before it was deleted.
The book appeared to have been self-published using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), a platform that allows writers to upload content with minimal review.
Amazon KDP permits books on controversial topics as long as they do not directly incite violence. This means a book can go live quickly, sometimes within hours of submission.
It remains unclear whether Casey is a real person or a pseudonym.
The key issue driving speculation is the listed date — 9 September 2025. If accurate, it suggests the book was available before the Utah Valley University shooting took place.
Some online commentators claim this hints at foreknowledge or a deliberate cover-up.
However, publishing experts point out that Amazon’s system sometimes displays incorrect dates due to time zone differences or technical errors.
Others note that some rapid-response books are created using automated tools that compile news articles and summaries.
The controversy over the Casey book emerged just as officials in Utah released new surveillance footage of the suspected Charlie Kirk killer.
Video shows the man running across a roof, jumping down, and fleeing into a wooded area where police later recovered a rifle.
The FBI has since offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has warned against disinformation campaigns, saying:
“We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence.”