Authorities Release Surveillance Images and Video as Tips Flood In; Rifle Recovered in Wooded Area Near Campus

Orem, Utah – September 12, 2025

The search for the gunman who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk entered its second day on Friday, with federal and state authorities releasing new surveillance footage and images of a person of interest described as a college-aged white male. The suspect, who remains at large despite thousands of public tips, is believed to have fired a single, precise shot from a rooftop at Utah Valley University (UVU), where Kirk was addressing a crowd of about 3,000 students and supporters during the kickoff of his "American Comeback Tour."

Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and CEO of Turning Point USA—a prominent conservative youth organization and close ally of President Donald Trump—was struck in the neck around 12:20 p.m. local time on Wednesday. He slumped in his chair mid-sentence, bleeding profusely as staff rushed him offstage and the crowd scattered in panic. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after, in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox has called a "political assassination."

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene under a white tent emblazoned with Kirk's tour branding. "One shot rang out, and everyone just froze for a second before screaming and running," said UVU student Emily Hargrove, who captured part of the incident on her phone. Video footage circulating online shows Kirk tossing branded hats to cheering supporters moments before the gunshot echoed across the university quad. His final X post, timestamped just minutes earlier, read: "WE. ARE. SO. BACK."

A Calculated Escape and Mounting Evidence

Investigators believe the shooter, clad in all-black tactical clothing including a long-sleeved collarless shirt with an apparent American flag graphic, dark pants, a baseball cap, sunglasses, and Converse sneakers, arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. Surveillance cameras captured him ascending a stairwell to the roof of a nearby academic building, where he positioned himself about 150 yards from the stage— a distance eerily similar to the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

From his vantage point, the suspect fired once with what authorities now confirm was a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle, an older high-powered hunting weapon imported from Europe. The rifle was recovered Thursday afternoon in a wooded area near the campus perimeter, wrapped in a towel and discarded along the gunman's apparent escape route. A spent cartridge remained in the chamber, and forensic teams collected palm prints from the rooftop ledge—left during the suspect's jump to the ground—and a footwear impression matching his sneakers.

Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason detailed the escape at a Thursday evening press conference: "He crossed the roof, fired the fatal shot, then dropped down and fled into a residential neighborhood. We have good video of this individual blending in with the college community." The suspect, estimated to be in his late teens or early 20s, carried a backpack and showed "apparent proficiency" in handling the weapon, suggesting prior training or planning, according to retired FBI agent Brad Garrett, an ABC News contributor.

The FBI has flooded the zone with over 7,000 tips since Wednesday—the highest volume since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing—and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Nearly 200 interviews have been conducted, involving 20 law enforcement agencies. Two individuals were briefly detained but released after questioning; neither was the shooter.

Tributes Pour In Amid Political Backlash

Kirk's death has elicited an outpouring of grief from across the political spectrum, though it has also reignited debates over rhetoric and gun violence. President Trump, speaking at a 9/11 memorial in Virginia on Thursday, announced he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "Charlie had the heart of the youth like no one else. He was loved by all, especially me," Trump said, his voice breaking. In a White House video, he decried "heinous" political violence and vowed to pursue those responsible, including any organizations that "fund or support" it.

Vice President JD Vance diverted from New York commemorations to escort Kirk's casket back to his family in Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Force Two. Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children. Turning Point USA issued a statement calling him a "beacon for young conservatives" who "rallied millions behind truth and freedom."

Critics on the left, including some X users, pointed to Kirk's recent Fox News appearance on September 9, where he accused Democrats of pushing a "false narrative" about anti-Black violence while highlighting attacks on white people. One viral post noted the irony: "Charlie Kirk spent his last day railing against 'Black attacks on white people'—and now a white male suspect takes him out." Others drew parallels to Trump's Butler rally, speculating on copycat motives amid a "change in narrative" for conservative media.

Misinformation has proliferated online, including false claims that Canadian Michael Mallinson was the shooter—a rumor amplified by AI chatbots like Grok and a fake "Fox 11 Reno" account. Authorities urged the public to rely on verified sources.

Broader Implications for Political Violence

Governor Cox, flanked by FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls at Thursday's briefing, pledged to seek the death penalty if the suspect is captured—Utah is one of 27 states where capital punishment remains legal. "This is a dark time for our nation, but we'll heal by holding this perpetrator accountable," Cox said. UVU remains closed through Sunday, with counseling services available for students.

Kirk's influence extended far beyond campuses; his podcast, "The Charlie Kirk Show," drew millions weekly, and he boasted 5.3 million X followers. As co-founder of Turning Point, he mobilized young voters for Trump in 2024 and beyond, often clashing with "woke" culture on issues like race, gender, and immigration.

As door-to-door searches continue in Orem neighborhoods—bolstered by U.S. Marshals and doorbell camera reviews—law enforcement emphasized the suspect's familiarity with the campus layout. "He knew exactly where to go and how to vanish," Mason said. For now, the question lingers: Who was Charlie Kirk to this young man—and why did he pull the trigger?