Charlie Kirk shooting live updates: Officials release new video of suspected shooter fleeing scene, plead with public for help in manhunt
“We need as much help as we can possibly get,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday night.
Authorities are continuing to search for a suspect in the death of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and ally to President Trump who was fatally shot while he was speaking at a campus event in Utah on Wednesday.
In a press conference on Thursday night, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that law enforcement had received more than 7,000 tips from the public, but pleaded for more of their assistance in finding the shooter. “We need as much help as we can possibly get,” he said.
The FBI released new surveillance video Thursday night of the suspected shooter fleeing the scene. Six images of the same suspect had been shared earlier in the day. They described the gunman as a “college age” male who “blended in well” with students at the Utah Valley University event. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person
Beau Mason, head of Utah’s Department of Public Safety, conceded that authorities have “no idea” where the shooter might be.
The hunt for Kirk’s killer took several twists and turns in the hours following the shooting. Initially, the university said a suspect was in custody, but that person was let go after being charged with obstruction of justice. Later on Wednesday, officials said a second suspect was taken into custody, but that person was also released.
A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered from a nearby wooded area, authorities said. They believe this is the weapon that was used in the “targeted” shooting that left Kirk dead.
Kirk, 31, was addressing the open-air crowd with some 3,000 people when a single shot rang out, striking the Turning Point USA cofounder in the neck. Within hours, Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social. Trump on Thursday said he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Kirk’s body was transported to Arizona, where Kirk lived with his family, on Air Force Two on Thursday afternoon. Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both said they plan to attend Kirk’s funeral, which is expected to be held next weekend.