FBI releases images of person of interest in Charlie Kirk shooting investigation

Update, 12:00 p.m.

The FBI's Salt Lake City office on Thursday released two images of a person of interest in connection with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The photos, which appear to be taken from surveillance footage, show a young man wearing jeans, a black long-sleeve shirt with an image of the American flag on the front, sunglasses, and a dark hat.

Signs at a growing memorial for Charlie Kirk outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, Utah. Associated Press / Photo by Lindsey Wasson

Original story: 

Law enforcement officials late Wednesday night recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle they believe was used to kill conservative Christian commentator Charlie Kirk. Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City office gave an update Thursday morning about the ongoing search for the shooter. Authorities found the weapon in a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus where officials believe the shooter fled. The FBI classified the shooting as a targeted event. The public and campus community were not believed to be in danger and officials do not think the shooter was still hiding in the woods, Bohls said.

Also on Thursday morning, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said authorities used video footage to track the shooter’s movements from before the attack until the person left campus. Law enforcement officials canvassed the surrounding neighborhoods to gather video footage from residents’ security cameras and further track the suspect. While officials refused to release more details about the shooter, Mason said the individual appeared to be college-aged and blended in well with the crowd at the event. Both Mason and Bohls referred to the shooter with male pronouns and said authorities had good images of the individual that they were analyzing. They said they would not release any additional footage unless their own investigative tools did not yield results.

The FBI had received more than 130 tips as of Thursday morning and Bohls encouraged anyone with information, photos, or videos that could help the investigation to submit them to the tip page dedicated to the shooting.

What led up to this point? A gunman on top of a nearby roof fired a single shot at the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA while he was speaking at the university on the first stop of The American Comeback Tour. Kirk was declared dead at a nearby hospital. Following the shooting, authorities made two arrests but released both men after officials determined they were not involved. Though the persons of interest were cleared, Mason said the two men had faced harassment and threats from the public, and he implored people to stop bothering them. Just six local law enforcement officials were working at the event alongside Kirk’s own security detail, according to a statement by Utah state police, and neither the state police office nor the FBI was involved in securing the venue. Mason on Thursday said officials were preparing to transport Kirk’s body to his family.

How has President Donald Trump responded? During a ceremony commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack, Trump said he would posthumously award Kirk the Medal of Freedom. The honor is the nation’s highest civilian award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation. In a statement Wednesday, Trump ordered American flags on all public properties around the world to be flown at half-staff through Sunday to honor Kirk. Dozens of public figures made social media posts to grieve Kirk’s death and citizens across the country held vigils in his honor. 

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s obituary about Kirk and his influence on young Americans.