Faith Nyasuguta
The FBI has intensified its manhunt for the shooter who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University by releasing new surveillance images and video footage of a person of interest it believes could be central to the case. In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the bureau’s Salt Lake City field office appealed directly to the public for help in identifying the individual. It also announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible for Kirk’s death. The development comes just two days after the high-profile shooting sent shockwaves across the country and plunged the Utah campus into mourning.
The person of interest captured in the footage appears to be of college age and was seen wearing a black pullover with what looked like an American flag printed on the front, blue jeans, a cap, and carrying a large black backpack. According to the FBI, the individual was recorded climbing onto a rooftop around noon on September 10, just before Kirk was shot during a public event. The video then shows the person leaping from the rooftop moments after the gunfire erupted.
Law enforcement officials say that Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet and later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital. The attack occurred during a Turning Point USA “American Comeback Tour” stop, which had drawn a large student crowd.
Investigators revealed that they have recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon: a high-powered, bolt-action rifle found abandoned in a wooded area close to the university. In addition to the rifle, officers traced shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print from the rooftop seen in the video footage. Authorities have also been canvassing nearby neighborhoods, urging residents to review doorbell camera footage for any evidence of the suspect leaving the area.
Utah Commissioner of Public Safety Beau Mason explained that law enforcement was able to track the suspect from arrival on campus at 11:52 a.m. to the time of the shooting at about 12:20 p.m., but the trail grew cold after the suspect fled. Mason emphasized that the individual blended easily with the student crowd, making him harder to identify.
Two people were taken into custody for questioning on Wednesday but were later released after investigators determined they had no involvement. Mason publicly asked people to stop harassing the pair, underscoring how intense the public’s reaction to the killing has been. Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, urged patience and cautioned that the case is complex and ongoing. “Any attack on the First Amendment is an attack on the very foundation of our democracy,” Bohls said. “That is why we will relentlessly pursue this case and the shooter until we find him.”
Charlie Kirk’s death has already had a wide-reaching impact. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Kirk would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, praising his contributions to youth engagement and conservative causes. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said at a Pentagon ceremony marking the September 11th anniversary. Political and business leaders across the spectrum have echoed the sentiment, lauding Kirk’s legacy and condemning the violence that ended his life.
Meanwhile, Utah Valley University has announced that its campus will remain closed through Sunday as investigators continue their work. Mason said he had spoken with Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s wife, and assured her that authorities are doing everything possible to return his body to the family after an examination by the state medical examiner. Law enforcement is also maintaining a visible presence on campus to reassure students and staff.
For now, the search for the shooter is still wide open. Investigators say tips from the public have been pouring in since the images were released, marking one of the most active responses to an FBI appeal in years. Although no suspect is yet in custody, officials stress that every lead is being pursued and every piece of evidence scrutinized. The murder of Charlie Kirk is now seen as more than just a tragic attack on an individual; it has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over political violence and public safety at high-profile events.
As the country waits for answers, the investigation stands as a test of law enforcement’s ability to solve a case unfolding under an intense national spotlight.
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