The FBI has released images of a person of interest in the ongoing manhunt for the gunman who fatally shot right-wing activist and influencer Charlie Kirk during a public event in Utah.
FBI authority have also announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
This marks the first time law enforcement has shared images of an individual potentially tied to Kirk’s killing. Officials revealed they recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle in nearby woods, believed to be the weapon used in the attack. They also obtained footwear, palm, and forearm prints linked to the suspect.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while speaking to students in the courtyard of Utah Valley University around 12:20 p.m. local time. The suspected gunman, described as college-aged, was seen scaling stairwells and crossing rooftops before escaping into a residential area near the campus.
Speaking at a press briefing, FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls said there is no immediate threat to the local community. Utah’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason confirmed investigators have tracked parts of the suspect’s movements, describing recent breakthroughs in the case.
Two people were initially detained in connection with the shooting but later released, with authorities clarifying they were not linked to the assassination. The manhunt continues as federal and local agencies intensify their search.
President Donald Trump, who credited Kirk and Turning Point USA with mobilizing young and minority voters during his successful re-election bid, described the killing as a “heinous assassination.” He revealed he had spoken with Kirk’s wife, Erika, calling her “devastated,” while urging that the gunman “will be dealt with very appropriately” once caught.
Trump added: “Charlie was a patriot who devoted his life to open debate and the country he loved so much. He fought for liberty, democracy, and justice, and he’s a martyr for truth and freedom.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared the incident a “political assassination,” while other leaders across the U.S. and abroad expressed condolences. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the killing as “heartbreaking,” stressing that political violence has no place in society. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Kirk a “martyr for free speech.”
High-profile tributes also came from Vice President JD Vance, Senator Markwayne Mullin, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, all condemning the act of violence.
Charlie Kirk rose to prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the country. His fiery speeches and campus debates drew massive student crowds nationwide. With over 5.2 million followers on X and a widely downloaded podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, he was a key figure in shaping youth engagement with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
Kirk’s events were part of his “American Comeback Tour,” aimed at energizing conservative voters across schools and universities. At the Utah Valley University event, his wife Erika and their two children were present when the fatal shot was fired.
Kirk’s assassination comes amid what analysts describe as one of the most turbulent periods of political violence in the United States since the 1970s. In the past year alone, former President Trump survived two assassination attempts, while incidents of politically motivated arson, shootings, and attacks have surged across the nation.
As the investigation continues, the FBI urged the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the suspect.
“This is a dark moment for America,” Trump said, reflecting a sentiment echoed by both Republican and Democratic leaders.
