Police have released four new pictures of the ‘person of interest’ wanted in connection with Charlie Kirk’s killing at a Utah Valley University speaking event on Wednesday
More than 24 hours have passed since conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot dead in front of a 3000-strong crowd of Utah Valley University students, who had gathered to hear him speak and question his political beliefs. But the search to locate a “person of interest” wanted in connection with his killing continues.
US law enforcement agencies have indicated they are following “multiple leads” to track the individual down, having received more than 200 tip-offs from members of the public. A $100,000 reward has been offered by the FBI for information leading to the “identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
Earlier on Thursday, an image showing a man in a dark T-shirt wearing a baseball cap was released, in the hopes of aiding the massive manhunt for the individual wanted for interrogation.
Despite postponing a planned midday press conference amid “rapid developments” in their search, Utah police have yet to locate the person pictured on campus security cameras. Hours later, Utah’s Public Safety department released four further images of the man they are trying to locate, showing them in greater detail.
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Campus security cameras capture the suspect as he walks through a stairwell. He is wearing a black long-sleeved T-shirt with an American flag graphic emblazoned on the front, blue trousers and Converse-style shoes.
With a cap covering his dark hair and sunglasses obscuring his eyes, the man appears to hide his face from the cameras as he moves through the Utah Valley University campus. One of the pictures shows him carrying a large backpack, which looks filled to the brim.
Federal agents and local police are coordinating the search for the suspect, who has been described as of college age. This is thought to have helped him slip away in the aftermath of the shocking killing of MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk.
Moments after the shot rang out and blood was seen pouring from 31-year-old Kirk’s neck, some of the half a dozen police officers at the event briefly detained an elderly man in the crowd, but then released him.
An hour later, the FBI announced another individual had been detained, but they were also later released.
Investigators believe the shot came from a roof up to 200 metres from where Kirk was speaking, in an open area of the university’s campus. Videos circulating on social media appear to show an individual fleeing from a rooftop in the moments after the shooting, while thousands of students ran in fear.
A high-calibre rifle thought to have been used in the shooting was later discovered in some nearby woodland, along with a footprint. The weapon is currently being analysed.
Meanwhile, the slain commentator’s body is being returned to his family home in Phoenix, Arizona. On Thursday evening, US Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to Kirk by personally escorting his body home on Air Force Two.
Kirk and Vance were close friends and political allies for many years, with the Vice President holding the conservative firebrand responsible for his political success in a grief-ridden tribute.
As he escorted Kirk’s body onto his plane, flanked by military personnel, Vance silently placed his hand on his friend’s casket and walked across the airport tarmac.