Charlie Kirk shot dead in Utah: FBI releases photo of person of interest after suspected shooter’s rifle found in nearby woods — follow live updates

The FBI on Thursday released pictures of a person of interest in the death of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and ally to President Trump who was fatally shot while he was speaking at a campus event in Utah on Wednesday.

At a press conference earlier Thursday, the FBI and Utah public safety officials described the gunman as a “college age” male who “blended in well” with students at the Utah Valley University event.

A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered from a nearby wooded area, authorities said. They believe this is the weapon that was used in the “targeted” shooting that left Kirk dead.

Kirk, 31, was addressing the open-air crowd with some 3,000 people when a single shot rang out, striking the Turning Point USA cofounder in the neck. Within hours, Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social. Trump on Thursday said he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The hunt for Kirk’s killer took several twists and turns in the hours following the shooting. Initially, the university said a suspect was in custody, but that person was let go after being charged with obstruction of justice. Later, officials said a second suspect was taken into custody, but that person was also released.