It is the conspiracy theory that has dominated social media since Charlie Kirk was brutally gunned down at Utah Valley University.

A private jet took off from Provo Airport an hour after the shot was fired just five miles away, then mysteriously vanished from all radar systems.

It sparked a slew of wild theories about Kirk’s gunman making a swift exit from the scene before catching the flight and disappearing into thin air.

But on Thursday afternoon the owner of the private jet broke his silence to quash all claims linking him to the shooting.

Businessman Derek Maxfield outed himself as the man behind the plane – registered as N888KG – and tore into those dragging his family into the fray.

He branded the claims ‘baseless theories’ and cleared up why his Bombardier Challenger 300 vanished from flight-tracking systems on Wednesday.

Kirk was giving a speech to a Right-wing audience at Utah Valley University when he took a bullet to the throat from a gunman on a nearby roof.

He immediately started to bleed out and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was announced dead hours later.

Businessman Derek Maxfield (pictured with his wife) outed himself as the man behind the plane – registered as N888KG – and tore into those dragging his family into the fray

Flight tracking data confirmed the timeline, showing the jet leaving Utah, heading south toward the Arizona border, temporarily disappearing from public radar, and returning to Provo roughly an hour later

By Thursday morning internet sleuths had spotted the private jet had dropped off radar just an hour after the attack and tried to link it to the shooting.

But Maxfield was quick to bury any claims, saying his jet vanishing was in accordance with their agreement with the FAA.

He said: ‘As often happens, unfortunately, in the wake of such terrifying and public events, a variety of baseless theories and suspicions around Mr Kirk’s murder immediately took hold on social media, including one that has unfairly impacted our family.’

Maxfield said he was speaking out to ‘set the record straight’ and went into detail about why his jet was allowed to disappear soon after take-off.

He said the plane – which was owned by one of his companies – left Provo Airport at around 1.20pm MT for Page in Arizona.

He said when it left there were two pilots but no passengers on board and it landed again at 1.55pm MT.

He continued: ‘Upon arrival, I, Derek Maxfield, boarded N888KG, along with seven additional passengers for the return trip to PVU.’ It left again at 2.40pm MT and landed back at Provo at 3.15pm MT.

‘Radar services with air traffic control were terminated in mutual agreement between Denver FAA center and N888KG approximately 10 miles from landing at PGA, which is consistent with generally accepted standard practice when flying in and out of non-towered airports like PGA.’

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Derek Maxfield revealed he and his wife, Shelaine, are the owners of the jet that took off just miles away from the university where Charlie Kirk was assassinated

He went on: ‘Any suggestion that the flights by N888KG yesterday are in any way connected to the tragic shooting of Mr Kirk is inaccurate, false and without any credible basis of any kind.

‘To our knowledge, no one associated with yesterday’s flights by N888KG has been contacted by law enforcement for any reason.’

Maxfield also wished his best for Kirk’s family after the tragedy, branding it ‘horrifying and senseless’.

He said: ‘[My wife] Shelaine and I join our community, our state and our nation in mourning the death of Charlie Kirk and we pray for his family and loved ones during this difficult and tragic time.

‘His death and the way it occurred was both horrifying and senseless. We pray that the extensive efforts by law enforcement to locate Mr Kirk’s killer will be swift and successful.’

He added: ‘We ask that the focus remain on praying for and supporting those who have been deeply impacted by yesterday’s events and on the critical efforts of law enforcement to bring Mr Kirk’s murderer to justice.’

The FBI released an image of a person of interest on Thursday, showing a person wearing a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved black shirt

Hours after Kirk, 31, was pronounced dead, social media users noticed a jet departing Provo Airport (PVU) roughly an hour after the shooting. He was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, which is just miles from the airport

Maxfield, who owns a raft of companies including marketing company Younique, was dragged into the online discussion as the hunt for the killer continued.

Conspiracy theories grew when it was revealed cops had failed to close the airspace surrounding Provo Airport.

Retired FBI agent James Gagliano appeared on Fox News on Thursday morning, saying the killer could have made their escape via the airport.

He said: ‘Was there pre-planning? Absolutely. You had to get access to the roof. This is the most chilling thing about this manhunt.

‘If you come off that roof, there is an open-air parking lot behind that building, it is spitting distance from I-15.

‘This is a big concern because this person, between three to five minutes of that shot going off, could have been in a vehicle on his way out, and miles and miles away.

‘Provo Airport is only 45 minutes from there; these are all things you have to consider. This is going to be long and laborious.’

Aerospace engineer Byrson Sullivan also told the Daily Mail that such the gap in the radar transmission was not unusual.

He said: ‘Many aircraft fly every day without transponders, especially military or VIP flights. Planes turn off ADS-B data all the time. It’s not suspicious either.’

Kirk, a father of two, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

It’s believed that the gunman opened fire from the roof of the Losee Center, where a shadowy figure was seen running just moments after the gunfire erupted.

The building is 200 yards from where Kirk was debating with students and locals about political issues, and had just answered a question about gun violence.

The FBI released an image of a person of interest on Thursday, showing a person wearing a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved black shirt.

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