The shooter who assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk and subsequently fled from a rooftop into the surrounding woods remained unidentified and at large more than 24 hours after the incident. Federal investigators have released photographs of the suspect, appealing to the public for assistance as the search continues.
Clues collected by law enforcement include a palm print, a shoe impression, and a high-powered hunting rifle discovered in a wooded area along the path the shooter took. Despite these findings, officials have not named a suspect or established a motive for the shooting, which they are treating as a significant act of political violence amid a growing trend of ideological conflict in the United States.
Accompanying the released photographs of a person wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve black shirt with a backpack was a substantial reward of $100,000 for information leading to an arrest. Earlier in the investigation, two individuals were briefly detained but later released, prompting officials to chase new leads regarding a separate person of interest.
Another news conference was scheduled later in the day, featuring FBI Director Kash Patel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox among the speakers. Notably, investigators are examining a Mauser .30-caliber, bolt-action rifle found concealed in a towel in the woods. A spent cartridge was found in the weapon's chamber, with three additional rounds loaded in the magazine, as detailed in information shared amongst law enforcement agencies.
The attack occurred during daylight hours while Kirk was speaking on social issues at Utah Valley University. The event, hosted by his nonprofit organization Turning Point USA, was the first stop on his “American Comeback Tour.” The shooting was captured on videos that circulated on social media, showing Kirk abruptly shot while addressing the audience with a handheld microphone. Witnesses reported gasping and screaming as he was seen reaching up in pain with blood gushing from his neck.
Authorities believe the shooter blended into the crowd, appearing college-age, and fired a single shot from their elevated position before jumping down. Robert Bohls, the head FBI agent in Salt Lake City, confirmed to reporters that this was a targeted event.
In a broader political context, former President Donald Trump condemned the violence and announced plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, visited Salt Lake City to meet with Kirk’s family. In a social media post, Vance reflected on his long-standing friendship with Kirk, emphasizing his role in their political successes and administration organization.
Kirk's casket was flown from Utah to Phoenix aboard Air Force Two, with Trump confirming his intent to attend the funeral, though details have yet to be disclosed. Kirk was known as a provocative conservative figure who mobilized young Republicans and often ignited debates on college campuses. His shooting occurred as he was answering a question about gun violence during the event, leaving attendees rattled and inciting panic.
In the immediate aftermath of the gunfire, some attendees barricaded themselves in classrooms, employing tables and makeshift barricades to shield from potential danger. Witness Madison Lattin described the horrifying scene, noting the anxiety for both Kirk’s safety and their own. As the campus environment became tense, local residents expressed concern over the shooter's ongoing freedom.
The shooting drew swift bipartisan condemnation, with figures from both political parties expressing their outrage and condolences. Gabrielle Giffords, a former Democratic congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt, also offered her sympathy to Kirk's family, emphasizing the heartbreak over such political violence.
