A search was persevering with Thursday for the one that shot and killed Charlie Kirk at an occasion at Utah Valley College. Kirk, a distinguished conservative activist who co-founded the right-wing advocacy group Turning Level USA, was 31.
Authorities haven’t but recognized or apprehended a suspect nor specified a motive, however on Thursday officers revealed new particulars concerning the shooter’s actions, a weapon that was recovered and the investigation.
Earlier, the Utah Public Security Division and the Salt Lake Metropolis FBI workplace posted two photos of somebody they known as a “particular person of curiosity,” exhibiting a person showing to be carrying a darkish long-sleeve shirt, and a hat and sun shades.
FBI
The 2 businesses launched a number of extra pictures Thursday night of the particular person of curiosity, who seemed to be on a staircase and carrying a backpack. The company didn’t disclose the place the pictures had been taken.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated authorities had obtained greater than 7,000 leads and suggestions from the general public as of Thursday night, and practically 200 interviews have been carried out by investigators.
Earlier Thursday, three sources informed CBS Information that federal legislation enforcement investigators believed they’d the title of an individual of curiosity within the case. Nevertheless, late Thursday night time, the identical sources informed CBS Information that investigators had the identification of an individual of curiosity they had been working with, however that lead has not panned out.
Officers took two individuals into custody Wednesday within the wake of the taking pictures however later stated neither was tied to the taking pictures and each had been launched.
Here’s what we all know up to now concerning the ongoing investigation.
Suspect at massive
Authorities stated the suspect remained at massive Thursday and {that a} manhunt is ongoing to determine and seize the particular person accountable.
The FBI stated it’s providing a reward of as much as $100,000 for info that leads legislation enforcement to determine and arrest the particular person or individuals concerned in Kirk’s assassination.
Two legislation enforcement sources informed CBS Information Thursday that U.S. Marshals had been aiding the FBI in monitoring down the suspected shooter. The FBI stays the lead investigating company however is working with Utah officers.
Utah Public Security Commissioner Beau Mason stated the suspect was a male who “blended in” with the school group and seems to be “college-age.”
Mason stated investigators have been capable of observe the shooter’s actions earlier than and after the assassination. He stated the gunman is believed to have arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. native time Wednesday and moved via stairwells to the roof of a constructing close to the place Kirk’s occasion was happening, which was the taking pictures location.
Mason stated the shooter moved to the opposite aspect of the constructing after firing a single shot, then jumped off and fled right into a neighborhood off campus. Investigators contacted owners with cameras, and witnesses, to determine leads, he stated.
In a information briefing Thursday night in Orem with FBI Director Kash Patel in attendance, officers launched new safety video that exhibits him operating throughout the roof after which climbing down the aspect of the constructing instantly after the taking pictures.
As he climbed off the sting of the constructing and dropped down, he “left some palm impressions, some smudges, some locations we’re seeking to acquire DNA,” together with a shoe print that indicated he was carrying Converse tennis sneakers, Mason informed reporters whereas exhibiting the video.
“It is vital to notice his black t-shirt, his black pants, and there seems to be some white on the soles of these Converse tennis sneakers,” Mason stated. “These are all identifiable gadgets that we’re searching for.”
After dropping off the constructing, the video confirmed the particular person of curiosity transferring throughout a grassy space earlier than getting into into site visitors. Mason stated he crossed the road right into a wooded space, the place the firearm believed to have been used within the taking pictures was later discovered.
Mason had beforehand stated authorities “have good video footage” of the particular person of curiosity, which they hope will assist as they work to determine him.
Weapon recovered
FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Bohls stated Thursday that investigators recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle,” which they consider was the weapon used within the assassination. It was present in a wooded space the place the shooter fled and can be analyzed by the FBI, based on Bohls.
Investigators even have a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints that can be analyzed, the FBI official stated.
The FBI’s Salt Lake Metropolis subject workplace established a tip submission kind the place individuals can share details about the taking pictures. The company stated it has “full sources dedicated to this investigation, together with tactical, operational, investigative and intelligence.” It’s investigating together with Utah state authorities.
A “focused assault”
Kirk was struck within the neck at round 12 p.m. native time Wednesday by a single gunshot, which the perpetrator fired as Kirk addressed a big crowd at an out of doors “Show Me Flawed” debate on Utah Valley College’s campus in Orem, Utah.
The “Show Me Flawed” debate is a trademark occasion for Kirk’s Turning Level USA, a conservative group targeted on younger individuals, the place he would maintain political debates with a bunch that normally consisted of left-leaning attendees. Kirk had visited the Utah college as a part of a nationwide tour of faculty campuses that was scheduled to proceed for the subsequent two months. About 3,000 individuals attended the outside occasion, the Utah Division of Public Security stated in a press release.
Whereas authorities haven’t specified a possible motive for the taking pictures, Mason stated they consider it was a “focused assault towards one particular person.” Just one shot was fired, and Kirk was the one sufferer, based on the commissioner.
Cox known as the taking pictures “a political assassination,” whereas President Trump, in a video posted to Fact Social, blamed it on “radical left political violence,” which he stated “has damage too many harmless individuals and brought too many lives.” Mr. Trump vowed to “discover each a type of who contributed to this atrocity.” Kirk was an in depth Trump ally and was credited with galvanizing youthful voters throughout his marketing campaign.
On Thursday, Cox stated the state plans to hunt the loss of life penalty in Kirk’s homicide.
“We have been working with our attorneys, getting all the pieces that we’d like, affidavits prepared, in order that we are able to pursue the loss of life penalty on this case. And that can occur right here within the state of Utah,” the governor informed reporters at a Thursday night press convention.
Bohls reiterated Thursday that investigators think about the taking pictures to be a “focused occasion,” and don’t consider there are lingering dangers to the general public.
Capturing location
A map produced by CBS Information’ Confirmed group exhibits the place Kirk was when he was shot — within the central courtyard of Utah Valley College, which is surrounded by campus buildings.
A college spokeswoman stated Wednesday they believed the shot was fired from the Losee Heart. A legislation enforcement supply informed CBS Information that the gunman appeared to have fired from the constructing’s roof.
Video verified by CBS Information exhibits an individual operating throughout the constructing’s roof within the moments after the taking pictures, about 400 toes from the place Kirk was talking. Authorities haven’t confirmed whether or not that particular person is related to the assault. Drone video captured afterward exhibits police tape on the roof the place the particular person was seen.
CBS Information Confirmed 
On Thursday, Bohls of the FBI stated investigators had obtained over 130 suggestions and that these suggestions and different leads had been being “absolutely investigated.”
Jennifer Jacobs,
Pat Milton,
Nicole Sganga,
Kaia Hubbard,
Kathryn Watson,
Erielle Delzer,
Joe Walsh and
Melissa Quinn
contributed to this report.
