US investigators on Thursday released security photos and video of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, along with details about the weapon believed to have been used in the attack. The 31-year-old author and founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University, sparking widespread shock and condemnation of political violence.
Officials said Kirk was answering a question about mass shootings during his outdoor event in front of around 3,000 people when a sniper’s bullet struck his neck. Audience members ran for safety as chaos spread through the campus in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
The FBI and Utah state investigators revealed that the shooter had climbed onto a rooftop overlooking the venue shortly before the event. Security video showed the suspect wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with an eagle and a US flag, black sunglasses, and a baseball cap. He was later seen climbing down from the roof and moving toward a wooded area, where authorities discovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the killing.
Officials said the suspect left behind DNA evidence, including a palm print, at the scene. While the shooter has not yet been identified, the FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Utah Governor Spencer Cox urged the public to come forward, noting that investigators had already received more than 7,000 tips and conducted over 200 interviews.
Kirk, a strong ally of President Donald Trump, had been on his “American Comeback Tour” visiting college campuses across the country. His death has drawn condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike, as well as messages of concern from abroad. Trump described the killing as a “heinous assassination” and announced that he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Utah to meet Kirk’s family and accompanied them on Air Force Two as they returned with his casket to Arizona. Paying tribute, Vance said Kirk’s influence extended beyond activism, crediting him with shaping conservative politics and supporting the administration’s rise.
The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement calling for patience as they work through leads. Officials emphasized that public cooperation is critical to finding and arresting the shooter responsible for the high-profile killing.
