FBI Releases New Evidence in Assassination of Activist Charlie Kirk
The FBI has released new surveillance footage of the suspect in the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk, capturing the gunman leaping from a rooftop at Utah Valley University before disappearing into a nearby wooded area, reports 24brussels.
The video shows the suspect sprinting across the rooftop, climbing down the building, and leaving behind crucial evidence including palm prints, DNA smudges, and a shoe print. Following the attack, he was seen running across a grassy lot before disappearing into the nearby woods.
In the aftermath, authorities recovered a high-powered Mauser bolt-action rifle and ammunition in the vicinity where the suspect fled. Investigators have also gathered additional evidence from the rooftop, such as shoe and forearm impressions.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox urged public assistance in the investigation, stating that over 7,000 tips have been submitted to the FBI, marking the highest volume since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. “We cannot do our job without the public’s help right now,” Cox emphasized, stating that the state plans to pursue the death penalty once the suspect is apprehended.
The FBI’s Salt Lake City office continues to circulate images of the suspect and has announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to an arrest. This nationwide manhunt remains the agency’s top priority.
The shooting occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m. Mountain Time on September 10, when the assailant fired a single round from a campus rooftop, striking Kirk in the neck as he spoke to students.
Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump. His controversial views often included support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, along with anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and advocacy for gun rights.
The investigation continues as law enforcement agencies work to piece together the events surrounding this high-profile assassination, illustrating the ongoing tensions surrounding political activism in the United States.
