The FBI has shared pictures of a person of interest connected to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) the suspect is a “college-aged” suspect who fatally shot US activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. Kirk, a 31-year-old podcast and radio commentator who was a close ally of US President Donald Trump and known for boosting Republican support among young voters, was fatally shot on Wednesday. The killing was a political assassination, Utah Governor Spencer Cox had said.
Utah authorities say the gunman who shot Charlie Kirk on Wednesday blended easily into the university environment and appeared to be of college age, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, CNN reported.
FBI officials believe the suspect is a man. Investigators have collected the rifle allegedly used in the attack, along with a shoeprint, a palm print, and impressions from a forearm, for analysis. Robert Bohls, the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office chief, said they had already received more than 130 tips by Thursday morning, and each one is being investigated.
The FBI also confirmed that the shooter is not hiding in the forested area where the rifle was found. “We do have good video of this individual, but we are not releasing it at this time,” Mason said, as per CNN. “We’re using technology and investigative methods to identify the person. If those efforts are unsuccessful, we will share the footage publicly to seek assistance.” He emphasized that authorities aim to handle the case in a way that ensures public safety and a proper investigative process.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Born on 14 October 1993, Charlie Kirk was a political activist, author, and media personality. He was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs of Arlington Heights and Prospect Heights, Illinois. During high school, he became actively involved in politics, supporting US Senate candidate Mark Kirk and organising a campaign against a cafeteria price hike at his school. He briefly attended Harper College but left to pursue political activism full-time, influenced by Tea Party member Bill Montgomery.
