The FBI shared a video of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer jumping off the roof of a campus building after he allegedly shot Kirk just after noon on Wednesday.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino and Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson released the video during a press conference at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Thursday evening.
FBI Director Kash Patel was also in Utah Thursday evening and attended but did not speak at the press conference.
The FBI has received over 7,000 tips, which is the most of any investigation since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, the officials said. They have also completed around 200 interviews.
“We cannot do our job without the public’s help right now,” Cox said.
Cox also urged those struggling with Kirk’s death to stay off social media. “When things get bad, we should put our phones down and spend a little time with our families,” Cox said.
He continued, “Our adversaries want violence.”
Cox said they are working with attorneys to seek the death penalty against the eventual suspect. “We are going to pursue the death penalty in this case,” he said.
In addition to the new video footage, the FBI released six images of a “person of interest” in connection with the case.
For any identifying information related to the killer, the FBI is offering up to $100,000.
The man in the images appears to be tall and thin with dark hair. On Wednesday at UVU, he was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with an American flag and an eagle on it, blue jeans, Converse tennis shoes, glasses and a baseball cap, the officials said.
They are asking the public for help identifying him either by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a report to the FBI’s tip line.
At a press conference Thursday morning, Bohls and Mason said they believe they found the weapon used to kill Kirk.
Based on their photos, “the suspect blended in well with a college institution. That individual appears to be of college age,” Mason said.
The weapon used, a high powered bolt-action rifle, was found in a wooded area near campus, they said. The Wall Street Journal reported that an internal law enforcement memo shows the ammunition was engraved with transgender and anti-fascist ideology. The gun also had three unspent rounds in the magazine, each with wording on them, the WSJ said. The Deseret News has not yet been able to independently verify that report.
From campus cameras, officials believe the shooter arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. and proceeded directly to the roof. After the shot at 12:20 p.m., he ran across the roof, jumped off of the building and ran through a nearby neighborhood.
Bohls added that his team is analyzing a “footwear impression... and a forearm imprint” as well as a palm print allegedly left by the killer.
“We are investing everything we have in this, and we will catch this individual,” Mason said. “The heinous event last night is not Utah.”
Mason added that he spoke with Kirk’s wife Erika, on Wednesday night.
JD Vance accompanying Kirk’s family back to Arizona
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance traveled to Salt Lake City, Thursday, to meet with Charlie Kirk’s family and accompany Kirk’s body back to Phoenix on Air Force Two.
Vance was scheduled to be in New York on Thursday, for a 9/11 commemoration service. On X, Wednesday night, Vance wrote, “Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him.”
Trump to give Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
At the Pentagon, Thursday morning, President Trump addressed a 9/11 memorial service and addressed Kirk’s death.
“We miss him greatly,” he said. “Yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage that he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Kirk will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, posthumously. “I can only guarantee you one thing — that we will have a very big crowd. Very, very big," the President said.
“Charlie; we love you,” Trump continued. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
