The investigation into the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has entered a new phase after the FBI released dramatic surveillance footage of a suspect fleeing the scene of the attack at Utah Valley University. The video, unveiled at a late-night press conference, shows a figure dressed in a long-sleeve black shirt, hat, and sunglasses running across a rooftop, scaling the edge, and dropping to the ground before vanishing into a nearby neighborhood.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect remains at large, despite a growing mountain of evidence. Investigators have collected a palm print, a shoe impression believed to match Converse sneakers, and a high-powered hunting rifle found abandoned in a wooded area along the escape route. More than 7,000 tips have poured in since the video’s release, but officials admitted they have yet to identify the shooter or establish a motive.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox, flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel and law enforcement officials, appealed directly to the public: “We need as much help as we can possibly get. We cannot do our job without the public’s help.” Cox condemned what he called a “tremendous amount of disinformation” spreading online and urged Americans to ignore foreign influence operations exploiting the tragedy. He pledged to bring the killer to justice, even vowing to pursue the death penalty.
The FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest, signaling the urgency of the manhunt. Authorities declined to take questions at the briefing, reflecting what analysts say is growing pressure on investigators as the search drags on.
Kirk’s assassination has drawn bipartisan condemnation and sharpened concerns about the rise of political violence in the United States. Leaders across the spectrum denounced the attack, with many warning that it represents a dangerous escalation in an already divided country. Former President Donald Trump said he would posthumously award Kirk the Medal of Freedom, calling him a “patriot and a friend.” He also spoke personally with Kirk’s widow, Erika, promising “big progress” in the investigation while hinting that authorities have a potential lead on motive.
Trump initially blamed “the radical left” in an Oval Office address, vowing to pursue not only the shooter but “each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity.” His words sparked concern about further unrest, especially after violence broke out at a vigil in Idaho. By the following day, Trump tempered his tone, urging supporters not to respond with violence. The White House quickly circulated that clip online in an effort to calm tensions.
Meanwhile, Kirk’s body has returned to his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance. In a deeply moving moment, Vance’s wife Usha was seen walking alongside Erika Kirk as the flag-draped casket was carried from the aircraft. Vance himself helped bear the casket, underscoring the close ties between Kirk and the Trump administration.
In a heartfelt tribute, Vance credited Kirk with playing a pivotal role in the 2024 election: “So much of the success we’ve had in this administration traces directly to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene. He didn’t just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government.”
Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization Kirk founded in Phoenix, issued a statement describing him as “a leader, a mentor, and a friend,” adding: “Above all, our hearts are with Erika and their two children.”
As vigils continue across the country and tributes pour in, the nation remains on edge, awaiting answers. For now, the image of a lone figure leaping from a rooftop lingers in the public consciousness — a haunting reminder of a brazen assassination that has left America searching for justice, and for peace.