New Details Emerge in Investigation of Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting: Suspect’s Photos and More Evidence Revealed
Following the shooting death of the 31-year-old political activist, authorities made pictures of a suspected murderer public, raising the possibility that new information could be provided to advance the case.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office is currently searching for the person responsible for Charlie Kirk’s killing at Utah Valley University (UVU). The murderer is still at large, and investigators have made pictures public and are pleading with the public for further pictures, recordings, or information. They are also offering a reward for any important information.
The FBI Salt Lake City posted surveillance images of a man wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with an American flag pattern, sunglasses, and a dark cap on X on September 11, 2025.
He was photographed standing close to railings, carrying a black rucksack, going down a hallway, and climbing a stairwell.
The organization is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information that results in the identify and arrest of the person or people responsible for the deadly shooting, according to its website. Tips can be sent via the FBI’s web portal or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.
In addition to making a public appeal, investigators also disclosed that the case had advanced significantly. A powerful rifle was found in a wooded area where the suspect allegedly ran away after the shooting, according to a news release from FBI Salt Lake City Field Office Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls.
“This morning, I can tell you that we have recovered what we believe is the weapon used in yesterday’s shooting,” Bohls stated. The FBI Laboratory is now examining the firearm.
In the same area, agents also found other physical evidence, such as forearm imprints, palm prints, and shoe impressions. In addition to the forensic evidence, over 130 tips from the general public are being examined.
“All leads and tips are being fully investigated,” Bohls stated. “The FBI has brought every resource to bear, and we will continue to do so throughout the course of this investigation.”
Investigators claim the case has wider ramifications even if the suspect’s motivation is yet unknown. Bohls underlined that upholding the U.S. Constitution and protecting the American people are both important aspects of the FBI’s mandate.
“Any attack on the First Amendment is an attack on the very foundation of our democracy,” Bohls stated. “That is why we will relentlessly pursue this case until the shooter is in custody.”
As previously reported, Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 in front of a live audience in a moment so abrupt and vicious that the crowd erupted in cries. He had no idea that his last remarks would go down in history as he was answering concerns about mass shootings in the United States.
A Tense Conversation Takes Place Just Before Chaos Breaks Out
The startling encounter was captured on camera and shows the conservative commentator engaged in a heated argument with an audience member who posed a contentious query. He questioned Kirk about the disproportionate number of transgender Americans who were involved in mass shootings.
Kirk answered coolly and collectedly, “Too many.” The same audience member persisted, asserting that there were only five transgender mass shooters.
“Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?” he asked, posing yet another question that would turn out to be terrifyingly prescient.
“Counting or not counting gang violence?” Kirk shot back without missing a beat, delivering what would be his last words. A few seconds later, the air was punctured by a piercing pop, and chaos ensued.
As Kirk was shot in front of the startled audience, he flinched forcefully in his seat, causing the throng to scream in fear.
Data Expert Supports Audience Claim That Disproves Kirk’s Statements
Mark Bryant, the founding executive director of the Gun Violence Archive, has now harshly refuted the audience member’s claim in Charlie Kirk’s final debate.
Despite the heated conversation that preceded the deadly shooting, statistics reveal that transgender people are completely unrelated to the vast majority of mass attacks in the United States.
Over 5,700 mass shootings—defined as events in which four or more people were shot and killed—have occurred in the United States since January 2013. Bryant’s authorized data showed that only five of those attackers were proven to be transgender.
Witness Remembers the Moment The Air Was Shattered by Gunfire
Witnesses have now come forward to describe what they witnessed at UVU following the terrible incident that resulted in Kirk’s death.
Skyler Baird, an attendee, disclosed, “I was probably no more than 15 feet away from him. I thought, “That was a gunshot,” when I heard the pop.
According to Baird, his first concern was surviving, but he soon changed his focus to assisting others in leaving the crowded event, which attracted about 3,000 people. The tragedy’s reality dawned as the audience dispersed. “I pretty much knew immediately that he wasn’t going to make it,” he said.
Baird pointed out that there were few security precautions in place for guests entering the stadium, despite Kirk being closely watched while performing.
He clarified that the general area had the standard campus-level security, so the crowd was mainly unmonitored when they arrived, but the political commentator was shielded from anyone trying to rush the platform or carry out a violent attack.
A father, an advocate for communication, and now a victim of assault
After years of following Kirk’s career, Baird said the horrific murder left him feeling shaken and sympathetic, particularly to Kirk’s family.
He said he was shocked that someone who was so dedicated to promoting communication should be the victim of such heartless brutality.
This tragedy, according to Baird, is a reflection of America’s widening rift, which is becoming too deadly to ignore. He advocated for encounters to be guided by logic and reason rather than emotion.
“Don’t break off contact with friends and loved ones that you have severed relations with. Give them a call back. Express your love for them. Tell them it’s acceptable to hold different views,” Baird begged.
“Atrocities like Kirk’s shooting become all the more likely when conversations stop,” the witness added in a final, sobering warning.
An eyewitness thought a gunshot was a part of the performance.
The feeling of astonishment was emphasized by another eyewitness report. Standing around 15 feet away from Kirk, 45-year-old Jeremy King said he was initially perplexed and thought the gunshot might have been “part of an act or performance” connected to the conversation about LGBTQ+ issues and gun rights.
King’s bewilderment became fear as Kirk fell apart. “Everyone fell to the ground around me. I jumped up over my wife right away. It’s impossible to predict whether this will be a one-shot incident or if it will escalate into a mass shooting. You’re scanning, then,” he remembered.
After witnessing Kirk’s bodyguards’ quick response, he continued, “At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up.”
A shooting from a building 200 yards away has been confirmed by the university.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” a UVU official subsequently recalled.
“At around 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker,” the university spokesman added. As far as we know, the person was struck, and his security guards took him away right away. Our campus police have detained a suspect, and the campus will remain closed for the remainder of the day.
FBI Reports First Suspect Freed, Investigation Continues
FBI Director Kash Patel announced on X shortly after Kirk’s untimely death that the individual who was first arrested in relation to the incident had been questioned and freed.
In the interest of transparency, he further underlined that the investigation is still ongoing and pledged to offer more updates.
A broader manhunt was launched because no suspect was apprehended, but an expert cautioned that it would be challenging. According to John Miller, CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst, the assailant most likely intended to move covertly, stay out of sight, shoot once, finish the objective, get the weapon, and leave minimal evidence.
The accuracy of the single shot also indicated that the assailant had previous weapons experience, according to the TV network’s analyst.
“This person is likely well-known to others and understood exactly what they were doing, which might be advantageous to law enforcement. This wasn’t an amateur, he said, having a long history of shooting.
Leaders of the Nation Lament Kirk’s Death
As Kirk’s passing became more serious, condolences from people of all political persuasions flooded in. U.S. President Donald Trump called the massacre a national tragedy in an address.
“The horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus has left me feeling both sad and furious. “Tonight, everyone who knew and loved Charlie is united in shock and horror, and he inspired millions,” he said. In addition, he called the tragedy a “dark moment” in American history and Kirk a “martyr”.
The nation’s vice president, JD Vance, expressed grief over Kirk’s passing and repeated Trump’s remarks on X, highlighting the president’s laudation of Kirk as a “legendary” person who had a significant impact on young Americans.
Trump also expressed his sympathies to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their family in his post. Vance then said a quick prayer for Kirk’s ultimate rest in peace.
Trump had earlier in the day formally declared that all American flags must be flown at half-staff until September 14. The White House, federal facilities, military stations, and American embassies around the world are all subject to the directive.
