The FBI released photos of what they say is a person of interest in Wednesday’s shooting of Charlie Kirk, asking for the public’s help identifying them.
FBI Salt Lake City
The person who shot and killed right-wing activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday remained at large more than a day later, as law enforcement stepped up their appeal for the public’s help.
On Thursday, authorities shared photos of a person they believe is the killer and recovered a high-powered rifle in their search. They also released video of a person of interest jumping down from a roof where the shot was fired on the campus, where Kirk was speaking, before the suspect fled into the woods.
Authorities have given no indication they know the gunman’s identity.
In the video, narrated by Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, the suspected shooter runs across the roof of a building, lowers himself over the edge and then drops to the ground. He then runs across a parking lot, crosses a street and heads into a wooded area. That area is where authorities recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle. There is no weapon immediately visible in the video.
Authorities also showed several still images of the person of interest that were far sharper than the two photos released by the FBI earlier in the day. The photos show a man dressed in black pants, a black T-shirt featuring a U.S. flag and a bald eagle, dark Converse sneakers as well as a black backpack. He also had on sunglasses and a dark baseball cap with a triangle on it.
“We are truly hopeful that this video and new photos will lead to even more tips,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at the briefing.
Law enforcement has received more than 7,000 leads and tips from the public, Cox said, noting that the FBI said it hasn’t received this many digital media tips from the public since the Boston Marathon bombing.
He said authorities have completed nearly 200 interviews in the course of the investigation so far. The agency is directing people to its digital tip line, and offering a reward of up to $100,000 for “information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible” for Kirk’s death.
The governor also warned of “a tremendous amount of disinformation” on social media.
Cox also said the state of Utah is preparing affidavits to pursue the death penalty against whoever killed Kirk. FBI Director Kash Patel was among those present onstage but did not speak during the briefing.
Kirk, the 31-year-old CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at the university in Orem, Utah, on the first stop of his American Comeback Tour. President Trump announced his death and ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff through Sunday in mourning.
Kirk, a close Trump ally, is credited with energizing young Republicans and helping them deliver his electoral victory in 2024. His death has drawn condolences — and condemnation of political violence — from both sides of the aisle.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said the shooting is “believed to be a targeted attack,” though the identity and motive of the shooter are still unknown.
Officials from the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety said at a Thursday morning press conference that investigators working overnight were able to track the movements of the suspect before and after the shooting, and found a rifle in a wooded area nearby that has since been secured.
“[I] can’t overstate the tragedy and horrific event that yesterday was, and how we will work to bring to justice the actions of one individual or any other individuals that assisted in that,” said Beau Mason, the commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety. He added that efforts are being made to return Kirk’s body to his family on Thursday.
Kirk’s casket was flown to Arizona Thursday evening on Air Force Two, with Kirk’s widow, Erika, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance onboard.
The vice president — who mourned the father of two as a “great family man” and “true friend” in a lengthy tribute on X — was originally slated to attend a Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony in New York City.
While attending a separate Sept. 11 ceremony at the Pentagon, Trump said he plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Trump called Kirk “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions.”
Here’s what else we know about Kirk’s killing and the search for the suspect.
The university confirmed Kirk was shot at 12:10 p.m. local time, 10 minutes after the student-sponsored event started. A shot is believed to have been fired from the roof of a building about 150 yards away from Kirk, it said.
