FBI Releases Photos of Person of Interest in Charlie Kirk Assassination, Investigators Recover High-Powered Rifle
By Space Coast Daily // September 11, 2025
reward of up to $100,000 for information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest
OREM, UTAH – Federal investigators have released photos of a man they are calling a person of interest in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
The images, published Thursday by the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, show a slim man dressed in jeans, a black long-sleeve shirt featuring an American flag, sunglasses, and a hat. Authorities also announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
“This is a dark moment for America,” former President Donald Trump said in a video statement shortly after the killing, calling Kirk “a great, and even legendary” figure.
The shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m., about 20 minutes into Kirk’s speech. Witnesses reported hearing a single gunshot as the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder addressed a crowd of thousands gathered in a campus green space.
According to dispatch recordings, the shooter was described as dressed in black tactical gear and armed with a rifle. Investigators believe the gunman entered a building stairwell shortly before noon, climbed to the rooftop, and opened fire from roughly 200 yards away. Afterward, he reportedly fled by jumping down the opposite side of the building into a nearby neighborhood.
Graphic videos from the scene show Kirk collapsing at the podium as panic spread through the audience. School officials estimated more than 3,000 people were present for the event, which had drawn attendees from across the country.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said investigators had recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle, along with several prints linked to the crime scene. Authorities also traced the suspected escape route.
Initial reports suggested police had detained possible suspects, but those individuals were later released. As of Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made.
Kirk, a father of two, founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and became a prominent voice in conservative politics, particularly among young voters.
News of Kirk’s death spread quickly, drawing condolences from political leaders and supporters. Trump, the first to publicly confirm the assassination, said he and former First Lady Melania Trump extended sympathies to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and their family.
Utah Valley University officials described the incident as a tragedy. “Shots were fired from a building about 200 yards away from the speaker,” university spokeswoman Ellen Treanor said. “To the best of our knowledge, the individual was struck and was immediately taken by security personnel.”
The FBI is urging anyone with information about the person of interest to contact their Salt Lake City office.
