The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with Utah state authorities, has released new surveillance images of a “person of interest” linked to the assassination of conservative activist and close Trump ally Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
In the photos, the suspect — described as college-aged — is seen wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, a shirt featuring an American flag print, and carrying a black backpack. The images were captured by campus CCTV cameras in a stairwell shortly before the fatal shooting.
“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk,” the FBI’s Salt Lake City office said on X, offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the killer.
Weapon and Evidence Recovered
Authorities have recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, wrapped in a towel in nearby woods. A spent cartridge was found in the chamber, with three more rounds in the magazine. Investigators also found a footwear impression and a forearm imprint, which are currently being analyzed in a federal lab.
FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls confirmed that the shooting was a “targeted event.”
Details of the Attack
Kirk, a prominent right-wing figure known for mobilizing young Republican voters, was shot while speaking in a campus courtyard. The single bullet struck him in the neck, and he collapsed as horrified spectators screamed and scattered.
The shooter fired from the roof of the Losee Centre building — approximately 100–200 yards from the event — before jumping off and disappearing into nearby woods. The assailant remains at large more than 24 hours later.
Political and Social Fallout
The killing is being treated as a politically motivated act of violence and has shocked the nation. Videos of the attack, widely shared on social media, show the moment Kirk was shot. President Donald Trump called for a “peaceful and strong” response to the assassination and moved the 9/11 memorial ceremony indoors citing security concerns.
Authorities are working “around the clock” to track down the shooter. Over 7,000 tips have already been received by the FBI hotline.
