The FBI has released photos of a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk and is asking for public assistance in identifying the individual. The images show a thin male wearing jeans, a black shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses, and a hat in connection with Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was killed Wednesday afternoon while speaking at a campus event. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for the murder.
Investigators have traced the shooter’s escape route and recovered evidence including a high-powered rifle and various prints. The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m. during Kirk’s speech, with the gunman firing from a rooftop approximately 200 yards away before fleeing into a nearby neighborhood.
Key Takeaways – FBI Photo of Suspect in Shooting Charlie Kirk
- The FBI released photos of a person of interest wearing distinctive clothing and is offering a $100,000 reward for information
- Charlie Kirk was fatally shot by a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025
- Authorities recovered the murder weapon and other evidence while continuing their manhunt for the killer
FBI Release of Person of Interest Photo and Investigation
The FBI Salt Lake City field office released the first images of a person of interest Thursday morning, showing a suspect in dark clothing with distinctive features. Utah Department of Public Safety officials are coordinating with federal agents in an active manhunt while seeking public assistance through tips and evidence.
Details of the Photo and Suspect Description
The FBI released two photos showing a person of interest in dark clothing, wearing a t-shirt with an American flag, a hat, and sunglasses. The images came from security camera footage captured on the Utah Valley University campus.
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason described the suspect as appearing “of college age” and someone who “blended in well with the institution.” The suspect arrived at the campus around 11:52 a.m. MDT on Wednesday.
Key Physical Evidence Found:
- High-powered, bolt-action rifle recovered in wooded area
- Footwear impression collected for analysis
- Palm print found at scene
- Forearm imprints recovered
The suspect fled by jumping off a building and running into a nearby neighborhood after the shooting. Investigators found ammunition with engraved messages related to transgender and antifascist ideology alongside the recovered weapon.
Role of FBI Salt Lake City and Ongoing Manhunt
FBI Salt Lake City took the lead role in the investigation, working with local authorities to track down the shooter. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls confirmed the recovery of the rifle and physical evidence in the wooded area where the suspect escaped.
The federal agency put out statements on social media urging people to come forward with “information, photos, and video from the incident.” They established a tip line for the public to share materials related to the case.
Two people were initially detained and questioned before being released. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that a subject was in custody at 6:21 p.m. EDT Wednesday but was later released after interrogation.
The FBI continues searching for the actual shooter while processing over 130 tips received from the public since releasing the photos.
Involvement of Utah Department of Public Safety
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason played a key role in coordinating the state response with federal authorities. Mason held press conferences providing updates on the investigation and describing the suspect’s movements on campus.
The department worked with FBI agents to process the crime scene and collect physical evidence. Mason emphasized that previously detained individuals were “people of interest” rather than suspects.
State Agency Responsibilities:
- Campus security coordination
- Physical evidence collection
- Public safety communications
- Inter-agency cooperation with FBI
Mason specifically asked the public not to harass individuals who were questioned during the investigation. The department continues working with FBI Salt Lake City to analyze forensic evidence and process tips.
Public Assistance and Community Response
The FBI asked for public help identifying the person of interest through their 1-800-CALL-FBI tip line. The agency received over 130 tips within hours of releasing the photos Thursday morning.
Community members responded by sharing the images on social media platforms. Local news outlets amplified the FBI’s request for information across Utah and nationally.
The investigation relies heavily on public cooperation due to the suspect’s ability to blend in with the college environment. FBI Salt Lake City continues processing incoming tips while analyzing physical evidence collected from the scene.
Utah residents have been encouraged to report any suspicious activity or information related to the person shown in the released photographs.
Overview of the Charlie Kirk Shooting
Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The FBI has released photos of a person of interest as investigators continue searching for the shooter who used a high-powered rifle from a nearby rooftop.
Timeline of Events at Utah Valley University
Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour when the fatal shooting occurred. The event took place on a grassy campus courtyard under a white canopy with the slogan “PROVE ME WRONG.”
About 3,000 people attended the question-and-answer session. Kirk was answering a question about mass shootings when the attack happened.
Security footage shows the suspect arrived on campus at 11:52 am and moved through stairwells to reach the roof. The shooter fired a single shot from the rooftop of the Losee Center, about 150 yards from where Kirk was speaking.
Video captured by attendees shows a lone figure in black running across the rooftop after the shot. The suspect then jumped off the building and fled into a nearby neighborhood.
Kirk fell back after being hit in the neck. He was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Recovery of Weapon and Forensic Findings
Investigators recovered key evidence from multiple crime scenes across the campus and surrounding area. The FBI found the weapon they believe was used in the fatal shooting.
Evidence recovered includes:
- High-powered bolt-action rifle (Mauser 30-06) found in a wooded area
- Footprint impressions from the suspect
- Palm print and forearm imprints
- Security camera footage tracking the shooter’s movements
Beau Mason, commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, said investigators have “good video footage” that shows the suspect’s path. The shooter appeared to be college age and blended in on campus.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are working together on the investigation. The Utah State Crime Lab is processing evidence from several active crime scenes.
Two people were briefly taken into custody but later released. One was released after questioning, while another was booked on suspicion of obstruction of justice before being released.
Charlie Kirk’s Background and Legacy
Charlie Kirk was 31 years old and served as CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA. He was one of the Republican Party’s most influential power brokers and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
Kirk built a massive online following across multiple platforms:
- YouTube: 3.8 million subscribers
- TikTok: 7.3 million followers
- X (Twitter): 5.2 million followers
- Rumble: 1.6 million followers
During the 2024 election, Kirk rallied his followers to support Trump. Conservative podcast host Megyn Kelly credited him with helping Republicans win back the White House and Senate.
Kirk frequently posted from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate after the election. He had direct influence over Trump’s Cabinet selections and other key appointments.
President Trump announced he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Speaking at a Pentagon event commemorating September 11, Trump called Kirk “a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions.”
Impact on Turning Point USA and Conservative Activism
Turning Point USA became one of the most influential conservative youth organizations under Kirk’s leadership. The group focused on campus organizing and social media outreach to young conservatives.
Kirk was known for combining conservative politics, nationalism, and evangelical faith. He often described current politics as “spiritual warfare” between conservatives and liberals.
The shooting occurred during Kirk’s American Comeback Tour, which was designed to visit college campuses across the country. Utah Valley University was the first stop on this speaking tour.
Kirk’s death has prompted discussions about political violence targeting figures from both sides. The incident led to swift condemnation from political leaders across the ideological spectrum.
The House of Representatives observed a moment of silence for Kirk, though the session descended into chaos when some Democrats pushed back on prayer requests. The political tensions highlight the divisive nature of current American politics.
Turning Point USA now faces questions about its future leadership and direction without its founding figure and primary spokesperson.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FBI continues to seek public assistance in identifying a person of interest captured in surveillance photos. Law enforcement has released specific details about the suspect’s appearance and the ongoing investigation.
What is the latest update on the FBI’s investigation into Charlie Kirk’s shooting?
The FBI released the first photos of a person of interest at 12:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday. Investigators have recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle in a wooded area where the shooter fled.
Law enforcement found ammunition with expressions of transgender and antifascist ideology. They also recovered footwear impressions, palm prints, and forearm imprints for analysis.
The FBI has received over 130 tips related to the incident. Two people previously detained for questioning have been released after interrogation.
How can the public assist with identifying the person of interest in the Charlie Kirk case?
The FBI is asking for the public’s help to identify the person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting. People can submit information, photos, and videos from the incident through the agency’s tip line.
Anyone with relevant information should contact the FBI immediately. The agency encourages people to share any materials they may have from the campus event.
What are the distinguishing features of the person of interest to look out for?
The person of interest appears to be a man in dark clothing wearing a t-shirt with an American flag. He was also wearing a hat and sunglasses in the surveillance images.
The suspect appeared to be of college age and blended in well with the university setting. He was dressed in all dark clothing when captured on security camera footage.
Where was the photo of the person of interest taken and when?
The photos were taken from security camera footage at Utah Valley University. The suspect arrived on campus around 11:52 a.m. MDT on Wednesday.
The images show the person of interest on the university grounds before the shooting occurred. The quality of the security camera footage limits the clarity of identifying details.
Are there any specific locations or areas where the person of interest is believed to frequent?
The suspect fled the campus by jumping off a building and running into a nearby neighborhood. Investigators found the weapon in a wooded area where the shooter had escaped.
No specific locations where the person might frequent have been publicly identified. The investigation focuses on the campus area and surrounding neighborhoods.
Has the FBI mentioned any potential motives behind the shooting death of Charlie Kirk?
Investigators found ammunition engraved with expressions of transgender and antifascist ideology in the recovered weapon’s magazine. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the incident a political assassination.
The shooting occurred during Kirk’s “Prove Me Wrong” event where he was answering questions about mass shootings. The suspect fired from approximately 200 yards away from a campus building.
