OREM, Utah — Federal and state investigators are searching for the gunman who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking event on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah. Authorities have offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
FBI Releases Video, Photos of Suspect
The FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety released surveillance video and images Thursday showing the alleged shooter dressed in black, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and carrying a backpack. Officials believe the suspect is college-aged and fled into nearby woods after firing from the roof of a building roughly 200 yards from the outdoor event.
Investigators say they recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle, shoe imprints believed to be from Converse sneakers, and palm impressions. The FBI laboratory is now analyzing the weapon and other evidence.
Thousands of Tips Flood In
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said more than 7,000 tips have been submitted—the largest wave of digital leads since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Authorities have conducted over 200 interviews and continue to track credible leads.
Cox also warned of “tremendous disinformation” spreading online, with bots linked to Russia and China attempting to inflame tensions.
Trump Vows Medal of Freedom for Kirk
Speaking at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon, President Donald Trump announced that Kirk will receive a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him “a giant of his generation” and “a champion of liberty.”
In a separate Oval Office address, Trump blamed the “radical left” for inciting the kind of political violence that led to Kirk’s death, urging Americans to “end the rhetoric of hate before it claims more lives.”
Utah Valley University in Focus
The tragedy has drawn national attention to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, one of the fastest-growing institutions in the Utah university system. With its large student population, Utah Valley Univ plays a key role in higher education across the state and the broader network of valley colleges in the United States.
Authorities emphasized that the campus remains safe, but urged the public to assist in the manhunt. Anyone with information should contact the FBI or submit a tip through its website to help investigators find a person connected to the crime.
How to Help
If you have information about the suspect, call the FBI tip line or submit details online. Officials stress that even small details may prove crucial in tracking the shooter.
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