"We have clear video of the suspect, but we're not releasing it at this time," Beau Mason, head of the Utah State Police, said today while announcing the progress of the investigation into the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Mason said investigators have employed several technologies and methods to identify the suspect. "If unsuccessful, we will release the images to the public for assistance, but we remain confident in our abilities," he said.
According to the Utah State Police chief, the video suggests the suspect appears to be college-aged, but further identifying information cannot yet be disclosed. Security camera footage shows the gunman climbing onto the roof of a building opposite the event, opening fire, then jumping down and fleeing into a nearby residential area.
Mason emphasized that law enforcement wants to "handle the situation safely and appropriately".
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Police cordon off Utah Valley University after the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk on 10/9. Photo: AFP |
Police cordon off Utah Valley University after the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk on 10/9. Photo: AFP
Robert Bohls, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), added that investigators recovered the rifle the suspect left behind.
He described the weapon as a "high-powered, single-shot rifle" found in the woods near the scene. The FBI crime lab will analyze the rifle, along with footwear impressions, fingerprints, and forearm prints collected at the scene.
Bohls believes the gunman is not hiding in the area, as police have thoroughly searched and secured the scene. He acknowledged the FBI cannot yet assess how far the suspect has fled.
"I can confirm this was a targeted attack. We believe the community is not in danger. However, authorities are mobilizing all resources to track down the suspect and will certainly apprehend him," he said.
Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on 10/9 while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
President Donald Trump called the political activist "a legend". Many White House staff have known Kirk for nearly a decade, since Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016. He contributed significantly to Trump's success in the 2024 campaign, helping him attract many young voters.
Thanh Danh (According to Fox, CNN, Reuters)
