The manhunt for the person who shot and killed influential US conservative activist Charlie Kirk continued on Thursday, as the FBI released pictures of the suspect.
“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the bureau said in a post on X featuring pictures of an unidentified man.
“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,” it added.
The agency said that a high-powered weapon was found in a wooded area and released a video and photos showing a person climbing down from a roof, jumping to the ground and quickly walking away.
Kirk, a prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck while speaking at an outdoor event at the university on Wednesday and later died of his injuries.
More than 7,000 leads in hunt for suspect
Authorities said the shooter may have fired from a rooftop. More than 7,000 tips have been received so far, Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox told reporters, with nearly 200 interviews conducted.
Kirk’s casket was flown from Utah to Arizona, where he had lived, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha. Television footage showed Kirk’s wife being helped off the plane by Usha Vance. Trump said in Washington that he expects to attend the funeral.
Trump ordered flags at the White House and embassies worldwide to be flown at half-mast.
During an event at the Pentagon on Thursday marking the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Trump said that he is posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, broadcaster NBC reported.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump said.
Utah governor mentions death penalty
Authorities believe it was a targeted attack. Cox has classified the shooting as a “political assassination” and told a press conference: “I just want to remind people that we still have the death penalty here in the state of Utah.”
Two people were taken into custody following the shooting on Wednesday but were later released, Utah officials said.
Kirk, 31, did not hold elected office but was a powerful force in grassroots conservative politics, leading youth organization Turning Point USA, hosting a popular podcast and attracting millions of followers on social media.
He spoke at Trump campaign rallies in last year’s election and addressed the Republican National Convention.
Political violence is a growing concern in the deeply polarized country, affecting both Republicans and Democrats at all levels of government.
Gun violence is a persistent issue, including on school and university campuses.
Handguns and larger firearms are widely available, and mass shootings frequently spark debate over stricter gun laws. Efforts at reform have repeatedly stalled due to opposition from Republicans and the influential gun lobby.
An undated handout photo provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of right-wing pundit Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. -/Federal Bureau of Investigation/dpa