Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem Wednesday, according to authorities. He was 31.
www.foxnews.com
The FBI has released two photos of a new person of interest in the assassination of conservative speaker
Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University during a public speaking event.
The images show a thin male wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses and a hat.
Authorities said a short while later that the FBI was offering a $100,000 bounty for information that helps crack the case.
"The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah,"
FBI Salt Lake City announced on X.
Investigators said Thursday morning that they had traced the sniper's escape route and recovered a "high-powered, bolt-action rifle," according to FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls. He said they also had obtained foot, palm and forearm imprints linked to the crime.
The news came after two separate announcements from authorities about having someone in custody — and later releasing those individuals.
A single gunshot rang out around 12:20 p.m. local time, a school spokeswoman said, about 20 minutes into a speech from Kirk on campus at Utah Valley University.
Dispatchers audio includes a suspect description.
"He’s going to be wearing all black, black long gun, black tactical helmet, a black mask, possibly wearing a tactical vest and jeans," a female dispatcher said over the radio, according to recordings.
Authorities said the killer arrived around 11:52 a.m. and climbed to a rooftop through a campus building's stairwell. The 31-year-old Kirk's event began at noon. After the shooting, the suspected assassin jumped down the other side of the building and fled into a neighborhood, where police were canvassing for video evidence.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," Trump wrote. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"