A search was persevering with Thursday for the one that shot and killed Charlie Kirk at an occasion at Utah Valley College. Kirk, a outstanding 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 photographs of somebody they known as a “individual of curiosity,” exhibiting a person showing to be sporting a darkish long-sleeve shirt, and a hat and sun shades.
FBI
The 2 companies launched a number of extra pictures Thursday night of the individual of curiosity, who gave the impression to be on a staircase and sporting a backpack. The company didn’t disclose the place the pictures have been taken.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox mentioned authorities had acquired greater than 7,000 leads and ideas from the general public as of Thursday night, and almost 200 interviews have been carried out by investigators.
Earlier Thursday, three sources advised CBS Information that federal legislation enforcement investigators believed that they had the identify of an individual of curiosity within the case. Nonetheless, late Thursday evening, the identical sources advised CBS Information that investigators had the id of an individual of curiosity they have 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 mentioned neither was tied to the taking pictures and each have been launched.
Here’s what we all know up to now concerning the ongoing investigation.
Suspect at massive
Authorities mentioned the suspect remained at massive Thursday and {that a} manhunt is ongoing to establish and seize the individual accountable.
The FBI mentioned it’s providing a reward of as much as $100,000 for info that leads legislation enforcement to establish and arrest the individual or individuals concerned in Kirk’s assassination.
Two legislation enforcement sources advised CBS Information Thursday that U.S. Marshals have been helping 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 mentioned the suspect was a male who “blended in” with the school neighborhood and seems to be “college-age.”
Mason mentioned investigators have been capable of monitor the shooter’s actions earlier than and after the assassination. He mentioned the gunman is believed to have arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. native time Wednesday and moved by means of stairwells to the roof of a constructing close to the place Kirk’s occasion was happening, which was the taking pictures location.
Mason mentioned 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 householders with cameras, and witnesses, to establish leads, he mentioned.
In a information briefing Thursday night in Orem with FBI Director Kash Patel in attendance, officers launched new safety video that reveals a person — whom Mason known as a suspect — working 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 sporting Converse tennis footwear, Mason advised reporters whereas exhibiting the video.
“It is essential to notice his black t-shirt, his black pants, and there seems to be some white on the soles of these Converse tennis footwear,” Mason mentioned. “These are all identifiable objects that we’re on the lookout for.”
After dropping off the constructing, the video confirmed the person transferring throughout a grassy space earlier than getting into into visitors. Mason mentioned 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 mentioned authorities “have good video footage” of the individual of curiosity, which they hope will assist as they work to establish him.
Weapon recovered
FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Bohls mentioned 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 will likely be analyzed by the FBI, based on Bohls.
Investigators even have a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints that will likely be analyzed, the FBI official mentioned.
The FBI’s Salt Lake Metropolis subject workplace established a tip submission type the place individuals can share details about the taking pictures. The company mentioned 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 outside “Show Me Unsuitable” debate on Utah Valley College’s campus in Orem, Utah.
The “Show Me Unsuitable” debate is a trademark occasion for Kirk’s Turning Level USA, a conservative group centered on younger individuals, the place he would maintain political debates with a gaggle that normally consisted of left-leaning attendees. Kirk had visited the Utah college as a part of a nationwide tour of school 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 mentioned in a press release.
Whereas authorities haven’t specified a possible motive for the taking pictures, Mason mentioned 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 mentioned “has harm 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 mentioned the state plans to hunt the dying penalty in Kirk’s homicide.
“We have been working with our attorneys, getting every part that we want, affidavits prepared, in order that we are able to pursue the dying penalty on this case. And that can occur right here within the state of Utah,” the governor advised reporters at a Thursday night press convention.
Bohls reiterated Thursday that investigators contemplate 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 workforce reveals 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 mentioned Wednesday they believed the shot was fired from the Losee Middle. A legislation enforcement supply advised CBS Information that the gunman appeared to have fired from the constructing’s roof.
Video verified by CBS Information reveals an individual working 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 individual is related to the assault. Drone video captured afterward reveals police tape on the roof the place the individual was seen.
CBS Information Confirmed 
On Thursday, Bohls of the FBI mentioned investigators had acquired over 130 ideas and that these ideas and different leads have been being “totally investigated.”
Jennifer Jacobs,
Pat Milton,
Nicole Sganga,
Kaia Hubbard,
Kathryn Watson,
Erielle Delzer,
Joe Walsh and
Melissa Quinn
contributed to this report.
