Charlie Kirk shooting: Video shared by investigators shows alleged gunman fleeing scene

Authorities are continuing their search for an unidentified shooter in the murder of Charlie Kirk. 

The FBI released a photo of a person of interest Thursday. The agency is also offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

RELATED: Charlie Kirk shooting: Person of interest photos released by FBI

Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University during the first stop of his American Comeback Tour on Wednesday afternoon. 

Here's a look at the latest updates for Sept. 11, 2025: 

Video shows alleged gunman fleeing the scene

9:54 p.m. ET: Law enforcement show new video during a news conference on Thursday evening showing the alleged gunman fleeing from the scene after Kirk was shot. 

In the video, a person wearing dark clothing is seen running across a rooftop and then climbing down the side. He is then seen running away from the scene. 

RELATED: Charlie Kirk shooting: New video shows alleged gunman fleeing scene

New photos of person of interest released by Utah DPS

8:32 p.m. ET: The Utah Department of Public Safety released more images of a person of interest in connection to Kirk's death. 

Vance carries Kirk's casket onto Air Force Two

8:25 p.m. ET: Vice President JD Vance helped carry Kirk's casket aboard Air Force Two in Utah before arriving in Arizona. 

Vance's wife, Usha, stepped off the plane with Kirk's widow, Erika. Both women wore black and sunglasses. The vice president was a few steps behind in a dark suit.

President Trump comments 

5:20 p.m.: President Donald Trump briefly answered reporters' questions as he left the White House for New York. He said he has his own thoughts about the killer's motivation but declined to elaborate, deferring instead to the investigation. He also said he's spoken to Charlie Kirk's widow Erica, describing her as "absolutely devastated."

"Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man, great in every way, especially with youth. And what he did – what this man did – was disgraceful. So hopefully we'll have him and we will deal with him very appropriately."

FBI Director Kash Patel on his way to Utah

4:20 p.m. ET: FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly on his way to Utah and will hold a joint news conference with law enforcement when he gets there, according to NBC News. Fox News reporter Matt Finn says Deputy Director Dan Bongino is also going. 

Turning Point USA shares social media post remembering Charlie Kirk

2:55 p.m. ET: Turning Point USA shared an emotional social media post on Thursday remembering Charlie Kirk.

The organization, posting under Kirk’s X handle, remembered Kirk on Thursday as "a leader, a mentor, and a friend."

The post’s authors also wrote that Kirk was "no stranger to threats," receiving "thousands of them throughout his life."

Alongside the post appeared a black and white image of Kirk walking onstage at a Turning Point event, with the lights and pyrotechnics that have become the organization’s trademark.

Prior to Thursday’s post, Kirk’s final X message had been several hours before he was shot Wednesday, concerning the stabbing death of a young Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte, North Carolina, commuter train last month.
 

New York Post reports Comedy Central pulls ‘South Park’ Charlie Kirk episode

2:30 p.m. ET: The New York Post reports that Comedy Central has pulled a controversial "South Park" episode that parodied Charlie Kirk after he was shot and killed on Wednesday.

According to the New York Post, Comedy Central did not issue a public statement but confirmed to industry outlets that the episode was "temporarily pulled" from its cable rotation.

Vance to fly Kirk’s casket and family from Utah to Arizona aboard Air Force Two

1:30 p.m. ET: The Associated Press spoke to a source with knowledge of the planning but not authorized to speak publicly about them.

Vice President JD Vance rearranged his schedule Thursday, nixing plans to attend a Sept. 11 commemoration in New York City and heading instead to Utah, where Kirk, his friend, was assassinated Wednesday.

While in Utah, Vance and his wife, Usha, were to meet with Kirk’s family and close friends, the person with knowledge shared with the AP.

Afterward, Vance will fly Kirk’s casket and family with him aboard Air Force Two from Utah to Arizona, where Kirk made his home.

Temporary flight restrictions were issued earlier Thursday for both areas, indicating movements of a high-profile person, like Vance.

FBI offers $100K reward for info on Kirk shooting suspect

1:08 p.m. ET: The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information that leads to an arrest for Kirk's shooting death. 

FBI releases photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s shooting 

12 p.m. ET: The FBI announced that it has released a photo of the person of interest in Charlie Kirk's shooting as authorities seek the public's assistance identifying the individual. 

Rifle and ammunition being checked for clues

12 p.m. ET: Authorities recovered a Mauser .30 caliber bolt-action rifle hidden in a towel in a wooded area near the university campus along what they suspect to be the shooter’s path as they fled the scene, The Associated Press reported. 

In addition to the spent cartridge recovered in the chamber, officials told the AP that three other rounds were loaded in the magazine. The weapon and ammunition are now being forensically examined by law enforcement at a federal lab for clues that could help identify the shooter or their motive.

911 callers describe possible suspect after Kirk shooting

10:40 a.m. ET: A group of 911 traffic released Thursday from the Utah County Department of Public Safety via Broadcastify includes callers describing seeing a person on campus wearing "jeans, black shirt, black mask" and carrying a "long rifle."

Another caller mentions a black vest.

During a news conference on Thursday, authorities said they had obtained video footage of a suspected shooter and had recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle from the wooded area where the suspect fled.

Authorities also said the shooter "appeared to be of college age" and "blended in" with students on the campus.

Pete Hegseth pays tribute to Kirk at 9/11 remembrance

10:30 a.m. ET: The Pentagon chief, who spoke before Trump at Thursday’s Pentagon ceremony, remembered the conservative activist as an "American patriot."

"Charlie, we love you," Hegseth said. "Know that you have heard the Lord’s words. Well done, good and faithful servant. Full heart, clear eyes, like those on 9/11, you will never be forgotten."

Congressional Democratic leaders call for unity after Kirk shooting

10:20 a.m. ET: At the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said "all Americans should come together and feel and mourn what happened."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said this was a moment for Americans to unite "not as Democrats or Republicans, as Blacks or Whites or Latinos or Asians but as Americans. We need to come together as Americans."

The leaders spoke to reporters after a bicameral Democratic legislative meeting.

Trump says he will award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom

10 a.m. ET: During remarks at the Pentagon, President Donald Trump said he would posthumously award Kirk with the honor at a later date.

The United States’ highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by presidents to people who have made significant contributions in a variety of areas, including culture and public service.

In his first term, Trump bestowed the honor to a number of people, including conservative firebrand commentator Rush Limbaugh.

FBI calls Kirk shooting ‘targeted event’

9:30 a.m. ET: Authorities said a person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk is believed to have targeted him at an event on a Utah college campus, said Robert Bohls, the FBI Special Agent in Charge at the Salt Lake City field office.

The shooter is still on the run, and it isn’t clear how far the suspect may have gotten, but the nearby woods have been secured, authorities said.

The FBI held a news conference on the state of the manhunt on Thursday morning. 

Rifle recovered from shooting

9:20 a.m. ET: Authorities found what they believe was the murder weapon, a high powered bolt-action rifle, in a wooded area where the shooter fled, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls.

Authorities say Kirk suspect ‘appears to be of college age’

9:15 a.m. ET: Law enforcement officials said the suspect they are seeking "appears to be of college age" and "blended in" with students on the college campus.

Officials asked the public to share any video and images they may have to help identify the person. Authorities said they have video footage of the suspected shooter but did not confirm that includes images of the person’s face.

Law enforcement officials in Utah are holding a news conference Thursday morning to share updates in their investigation.

The Utah Department of Public Safety says its commissioner, as well as the FBI special agent in charge, will speak to reporters at 9 a.m. ET on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem.

Trump blames ‘radical left’ rhetoric for Charlie Kirk’s assassination

8 a.m. ET: In a lengthy video statement released on social media late Wednesday by the White House, President Donald Trump blamed rhetoric from the "radical left" for political commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination and said "demonizing" opponents "must stop now."

Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff and issued a presidential proclamation. The president, who sustained a minor ear injury when he was shot at a campaign event last year, said he and Kirk had a close relationship.

He described Kirk on Truth Social as a "great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!"

Vance is expected to visit Salt Lake City to meet with Kirk’s family

7:55 a.m. ET:  Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, are set to visit with Kirk’s family on Thursday in Salt Lake City.

According to a person familiar with Vance’s plans, but not authorized to speak about them publicly, the Vances will visit Utah instead of New York, which had been their planned destination for an outdoor ceremony to commemorate Sept. 11.

One gunshot fired from a roof

What we know:

Charlie Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University when authorities said the shooter fired from a roof.

Videos posted to social media show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent. A single shot rings out and Kirk reaches up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck.

Utah Valley is the state’s largest public university with an enrollment of 47,000. It’s about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of the state capital of Salt Lake City.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

The backstory:

Kirk was the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA. Turning Point was founded in suburban Chicago in 2012 by Kirk, then 18, and William Montgomery, a tea party activist, to proselytize on college campuses for low taxes and limited government.

RELATED: Who is Charlie Kirk? Political activist killed at Utah Valley University, Trump confirms

Kirk appeared alongside Trump on stage at political events, and was also a frequent commentator on Fox News, CNBC, and FOX Business News. He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention. 

Kirk played a major role in Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. He was credited with turning out the younger vote for Trump.