Officials have released images of a “person of interest” in the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing.
Utah’s Department of Public Safety released a statement alongside the images.
They say: “We are seeking the public’s help in identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.”
This comes some hours after the FBI held a press conference in response to the fatal shooting of the conservative activist.
It was revealed during the press conference that the murder weapon has been recovered.
The press conference took place less than 24 hours after the conservative activist was killed at a college event in Utah.
Authorities continue to search for the suspect responsible for the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, though his current location remains unknown.
FBI agent Robert Bohls provided additional information during a news briefing in Orem, Utah. He confirmed that the agency has images of the suspect’s face and suggested that they may be released in the future.
Bohls also confirmed that the suspect is male, referring to him as “he” throughout the briefing.
Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, described the suspect as appearing to be “of college age”. Mason noted that the individual “blended in well with a college institution”.
He reassured the public: “We are confident in our abilities to track that individual. If we’re unsuccessful in identifying them immediately, we will reach out for the public’s help and the media’s help in pushing those photos.”
However, Mason acknowledged the uncertainty about the suspect’s movements: “We’re not sure how far he has gone yet.” He emphasized that officials are taking all possible measures to locate the suspect: “We are doing everything we can to find him.”
Authorities also confirmed that the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting has been recovered. Bohls said: “I can tell you that we have recovered what we believe is the weapon that was used in yesterday’s shooting… is a high-powered bolt action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. The FBI laboratory will be analysing this weapon.”
In addition, law enforcement recovered “an impression of a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis”, though the shooter remains at large.
Mason provided a detailed outline of the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting: “We were able to track the movements of the shooter starting at 11:52AM. This subject arrived on campus shortly away from campus.
“We have tracked his movements onto the campus through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof, to a shooting location. After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled, off of the campus and into a neighbourhood.”
