The FBI on Thursday released new photos of the person of interest in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed a day earlier during a public event at Utah Valley University.
The images depict a thin man wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses, and a hat. Officials said the latest photos provide the clearest view yet of the individual sought in connection with the case.
Shortly after releasing the images, the FBI announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
“The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah,” FBI Salt Lake City announced on X.
TMZ also exclusively obtained security camera footage of the suspect from a neighborhood near where the university where Kirk was assasinated.
WATCH:
🚨 NEWS: As authorities track down the assassin, I spoke with an eyewitness whose car and aunt’s driveway are seen in the newly released footage of the “person of interest” in the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
This eyewitness was walking down the street minutes before the… pic.twitter.com/FaZZyf016C
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) September 12, 2025
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends” Friday morning, President Donald Trump announced that authorities, “with a high degree of certainty,” believe they have the suspect in custody.
Investigators said Thursday they had traced the sniper’s escape route and recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle,” according to Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City office. Bohls added that forensic evidence collected at the scene included footprints, a palm print, and a forearm impression.
The update followed two earlier announcements from authorities that they had detained individuals, who were later released.
According to a university spokeswoman, the shooting occurred around 12:20 p.m., roughly 20 minutes into Kirk’s speech at the university.
We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
1-800-CALL-FBI
Digital media tips: https://t.co/K7maX81TjJ pic.twitter.com/ALuVkTXuDc— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025
Dispatchers audio includes a suspect description.
“He’s going to be wearing all black, black long gun, black tactical helmet, a black mask, possibly wearing a tactical vest and jeans,” a female dispatcher said over the radio, according to recordings.
Authorities said the shooter arrived on campus around 11:52 a.m. and accessed a rooftop through a building stairwell. Kirk’s event began at noon, and about 20 minutes later he was fatally shot. Investigators believe the gunman escaped by jumping down the far side of the building and fleeing into a nearby neighborhood, where police have been canvassing for video evidence.
Kirk, 31, a father of two and founder of Turning Point USA, died from his injuries.
Graphic footage shows the moment he was struck and slumped over as panic spread through the crowd, with attendees screaming and running for cover. Additional videos appear to show a figure moving on the rooftop opposite the green space where Kirk was speaking.
Utah Valley University, which has more than 40,000 students, hosted the event where organizers said 1,400 people had RSVP’d, including many traveling from out of state to hear Kirk speak. The Utah Department of Public Safety later estimated the actual crowd at about 3,000.
“We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon,” Ellen Treanor, the associate vice president of strategic and communication management at Utah Valley University, said in a statement.
“At about 12:20 shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel.”
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