Washington, September 12 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released new surveillance images of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as authorities escalated a nationwide search for the suspected gunman behind the high-profile attack.
The photographs, unveiled during a federal briefing, depict a man believed to be in his mid-30s, wearing a dark hoodie and baseball cap, seen near the scene shortly before the shooting. Officials said the individual has not yet been identified, but urged the public to provide any information that could lead to his capture.
Kirk, 31, a close ally of President Donald Trump and founder of the conservative youth movement Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on Wednesday evening while addressing more than 3,000 students at Utah Valley University during his “Prove Me Wrong” campus tour. Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing on foot moments after the gunfire.
“We’re releasing additional photos of the person of interest in connection with the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the FBI said in a statement on X. “Please direct all tips to FBI Salt Lake City.”
According to investigators, security footage shows the shooter using stairwells to access a rooftop before firing a single round that struck Kirk in the neck as he responded to a question about mass shootings. Authorities described the incident as a targeted attack but have not disclosed a motive.
President Trump told reporters he had “some indication” of the suspect’s intent but declined to elaborate, adding that law enforcement was making “big progress” in the case.
“This remains an active and developing investigation,” FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls confirmed. “The FBI continues to work closely with state and local partners to bring the perpetrator of this crime to justice.”
Evidence Recovered: Rifle, Palm Print, and Shoe Impression
Investigators recovered a high-powered rifle, a palm print, and a shoe impression along the shooter’s escape route through a wooded area near the campus. Officials said the suspect blended into the university crowd with a “college-age” appearance before carrying out the attack. Two individuals detained shortly after the incident were later released, as the investigation refocused on the newly identified person of interest.
Authorities have described the killing as the latest flashpoint in America’s worsening climate of political violence.
National Response and Tributes
In a move underscoring the political significance of the attack, President Trump announced that Charlie Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha, traveled to Utah to meet Kirk’s family before escorting his flag-draped casket aboard Air Force Two to Phoenix, home to Turning Point USA.
The killing has sparked tributes and condemnation across the political spectrum, while federal authorities continue to appeal for public assistance in locating the suspect.
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