A manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer has intensified after the right-wing political activist and ally of Donald Trump was fatally shot at a Utah college campus.
Officials from the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety provided updates Thursday on their investigation into the shooting, which unfolded in front of a large outdoor crowd at a Utah Valley University event in Orem around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.
DPS Commissioner Beau Mason revealed that the shooter, who is believed to be around “college age,” arrived on campus around 11:52 a.m., before jumping off a nearby rooftop after the shooting and making his escape into a neighborhood.
Robert Bohls, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake field office, said that authorities found a “high-powered bolt-action rifle” in a wooded area, which they believed was used to kill Kirk. Bohls said investigators also “collected a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”
Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon, prompting an outpouring of tributes from global leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. The president later called the moment “a dark moment for America.”
Here’s what you need to know this morning
Charlie Kirk, the MAGA stalwart and Donald Trump ally, died on Wednesday at the age of 31, after being shot in the neck at a college event in Utah. As authorities hunt for a suspect, here’s what you need to know this morning:
- Kirk was hosting an event at Utah Valley University, the first scheduled stop on his American Comeback Tour, sponsored by Turning Point USA, the MAGA-sponsored group that he founded
- Graphic video from bystanders posted on social media showed Kirk sitting at a booth, surrounded by hundreds of people, when a loud crack was heard shortly after midday. Kirk was seen convulsing and fell backwards as blood poured from his neck
- Utah officials said the shot that killed Kirk came “potentially from a roof” from some distance away
- President Donald Trump first announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social, which Turning Point USA later confirmed
- Two people who were taken into custody earlier were not tied to the shooting and were later released
- A manhunt for the shooter continues with a motive not immediately clear
- The Utah Department of Public Safety, which is leading the investigation with support from the FBI, said the shooter is believed to have fired once from a nearby roof in a “targeted attack”
- Utah Governor Spencer Cox told a press briefing that Kirk’s death was a “political assassination”
- Tributes to Kirk poured in from global leaders and officials on both sides of the political aisle, condemning the violence and sending prayers to his family. Vigils were held around the country
Charlie Kirk to posthumously receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Charlie Kirk will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Donald Trump has announced.
The president made the remarks at the top of a speech marking the 24th anniversary of 9/11 at the Pentagon, in which he railed against the “heinous assassination” of the MAGA broadcaster.
“I felt Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said.
“Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children, fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly. Yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
He added: “I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The date of the ceremony will be announced, and I can only guarantee you one thing, that we will have a very big crowd.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that can be awarded by the Commander in Chief.
Footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprint collected, official says
Along with gleaning a potential murder weapon, Bohls said: “Investigators have also collected a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”
Authorities ‘have images’ of Kirk shooting suspect
Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge of the Salt Lake field office, said authorities “have images” of the suspect, but refused to reveal any details about his appearance.
Kirk shooter appears to be college age, official says
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason declined to release details on the suspect, but said the suspect “appears to be of college age.”
High-powered rifle which officials believe was used to kill Kirk has been recovered
Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge of the Salt Lake field office, said authorities have covered what they believe is the weapon used to kill Charlie Kirk.
“This morning, I can tell you that we have recovered what we believe the weapon to be that was used in yesterday’s shooting is a high-powered bolt-action rifle,” he said.
“That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled,” he continued. “So the FBI laboratory will be analyzing this weapon.”
Shooter’s movements tracked 30 minutes before Kirk’s killing
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said they have managed to track the shooter’s movements about 30 minutes before gunfire rang out.
“We were able to track the movements of the shooter, starting at 11:52 a.m. [when] the subject arrived on campus,” Mason said.
“We have tracked his movements onto the campus, through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof to a shooting location,” he continued.
Mason said that after the shooting, the suspect moved to the other side of the building, jumped off and fled off campus into a neighborhood.
Two people of interest released have ‘faced threats’
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said that two persons of interest who were released by authorities have faced threats.
“They don’t deserve that harassment,” they said.
FBI and DPS news conference begins
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason has taken to the podium and has begun speaking about the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Vance to visit Utah today and forgo Ground Zero event
Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance are due to visit Salt Lake City today to pay respect to Charlie Kirk and his family, forgoing a planned trip to Ground Zero for the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack, according to The New York Times.
Source: independent.co.uk