Investigators release images of alleged Charlie Kirk shooter, rifle uncovered

OREM: US law enforcement officials have revealed new images and video footage of a person of interest in the deadly shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, whose body was found following a gunshot at a Utah university event.

Authorities also confirmed they had located the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting, a high-powered rifle, nearby in a wooded area.

Also read: Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot dead in Utah

Kirk, a 31-year-old political activist and ally of President Donald Trump, was killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University during an event titled “Prove Me Wrong” in front of a 3,000-strong crowd. The fatal gunshot struck Kirk’s neck while he was addressing a question about mass shootings, triggering panic among attendees. In the aftermath, Trump condemned the incident as a “heinous assassination.”

As of Thursday, law enforcement has not disclosed any details about the shooter’s motive, but Trump suggested he had some insight into the killer’s reasoning, promising further details would be shared in the near future. Meanwhile, the investigation continues, with the FBI offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.

Surveillance footage shows a suspect, described as a young male, wearing a black shirt with a bald eagle design and a dark baseball cap, ascending stairs and making his way to a roof where he fired the fatal shot. Officials said the suspect fled the scene by descending from the rooftop and fleeing into the woods near the campus, where investigators later recovered the weapon.

The FBI and state authorities have circulated clearer images of the suspect, captured by security cameras, and released a video showing him dropping down from the roof before crossing a street and disappearing into the nearby wooded area. Authorities noted that the suspect left behind a palm print and other DNA evidence on the building during his escape.

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation. He acknowledged the significant role of public tips, with over 7,000 already submitted, and confirmed more than 200 interviews had been conducted with potential witnesses.

In the wake of Kirk’s death, public figures across the political spectrum have expressed shock and outrage. Trump, who praised Kirk as a key figure in galvanizing young conservative support, announced that he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Vice President JD Vance, in a symbolic gesture, canceled his 9/11 memorial trip to New York and traveled to Utah to comfort Kirk’s family.

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Kirk’s death marks another grim chapter in the rise of politically motivated violence in the U.S., a trend that has escalated since the January 6 Capitol attack. Kirk, known for his vocal defense of right-wing views on issues like gun rights, immigration, and social policy, had recently embarked on a nationwide speaking tour aimed at engaging students and rallying conservative support.

Trump, deeply affected by the loss, shared a conversation he had with Kirk’s wife, Erika Frantzve, describing her as devastated by the tragedy. Kirk, who leaves behind a wife and two young children, was a prominent figure in conservative circles and a staunch advocate for free speech and political debate.