The search for answers in the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has advanced considerably, with the FBI announcing Thursday that it has “images” of the suspect and the high-powered rifle thought to be the murder weapon. The suspect, estimated to be college-age, is still at large.
Suspect’s Campus Movements Monitored
In a press conference, FBI and Utah DPS officials shed new light on the ongoing manhunt. FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls said authorities have viewed video recordings of the suspect. DPS Commissioner Beau Mason said this has enabled them to trace the activities of the suspect.
“We have followed his activity onto campus, through the stairwells, onto the roof, around the roof, to a point of shooting,” Mason said. “Once he had shot, we were able to follow his activity as he retreated to the other side of the building, dove off of the building and ran off of the campus and into an area of a neighborhood.”
NOW – FBI agent Beau Mason says a “high powered bolt action rifle” was recovered in a wooded area from Charlie Kirk’s assassination, including shoe impressions and a palm print; assassin still at large. pic.twitter.com/3nqOIbizaz
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 11, 2025
The suspect, according to police, “fitted in well with a college institution” and showed up on campus at 11:52 a.m. local time Wednesday. Authorities have not released the images yet to the public but are certain they can identify the person.
Murder Weapon And Forensic Evidence Recovered
In a breakthrough, police also revealed that they had recovered the weapon thought to have been employed in the murder. Bohls verified that a “high-powered bolt-action rifle” was discovered in a wooded area where the gunman had escaped. Police also obtained shoe prints, a palm print, and forearm prints in the same area for forensic examination.
Two men originally taken into custody for questioning on Wednesday were subsequently released after being fully questioned. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed their release on social media, noting that they had no link to the shooting.
As the manhunt goes on, Kirk’s body will be transported to his native Arizona. The assassination, which Utah Governor Spencer Cox has labeled a “political assassination,” elicited bipartisan denunciation and focused attention on the rising danger of political violence across the US.
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