The Utah Department of Public Safety shared on social media new images provided by authorities from the FBI of a person of interest in the shooting that occurred at Utah Valley University, which resulted in the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They are asking for help to identify the man, who is seen wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a long-sleeved shirt featuring an American flag and a bald eagle.
Authorities described the person of interest as a “college-aged man” who, according to reports, jumped from a building after the attack and fled into a neighborhood.
A “high-powered bolt-action rifle” was recovered in a wooded area, authorities reported.
The suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder was wearing a highly distinctive black T-shirt with an American flag and what appears to be an eagle. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason stated during an evening press conference.
Utah authorities shared photos of the suspect Thursday night. The suspect was also wearing blue jeans, a baseball cap with a triangle, Converse sneakers, sunglasses, and a black backpack, according to the images.
Authorities also shared a video showing the suspect jumping from the roof of a university building after Kirk was shot this evening.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox urged citizens to collaborate in finding the shooter.
The video shows a man running across a rooftop and then falling to the ground, leaving a palm print, according to Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason. The suspect also left impressions of his Converse sneakers, Mason added.
“All of those are identifiable items we are looking for,” Mason said, adding that “we ask the public to look for and try to identify them if they know someone who owns them or has been seen wearing them.”
FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino were present at the press conference, but did not make any comments, and the media in attendance were not given the opportunity to ask questions.
As of Thursday afternoon, investigators had no arrests and had not yet identified a suspect.
Authorities have not commented on the possible motive behind the assassination, which President Donald Trump called a “dark moment for America” and comes amid a wave of political violence that has shaken the country and deepened partisan divisions.
Investigators have conducted nearly 200 interviews as they work to “get to the bottom of Charlie Kirk’s murder,” Governor Cox said, who also noted that authorities are preparing to seek the death penalty for the responsible party once apprehended.
Authorities also highlighted that 20 law enforcement officers are leading the investigation and reminded the public of the importance of citizen cooperation and that there is a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was participating in an event where he was debating controversially with liberal students, an event he had organized for years, when he was shot. After the incident, his body was transported to Arizona aboard Vice President J.D. Vance’s plane later that Thursday.
Images: Opinion
