Unconfirmed and AI-enhanced photos being shared following assassination of Charlie Kirk

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, social media has been alight while authorities work to locate the suspected shooter.

While the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been releasing information and updates regarding the shooting, they are informing the public that some images being shared on social media can not be authenticated at this time.

“There are reportedly photos of a weapon and various details about that firearm and ammunition, including inscriptions and symbols… we are not able to confirm individual photos’ authenticity, as those photos were not released by law enforcement,” DPS shared in a press release.

While there could be real photos circulating online, the veracity of photos not released by the FBI or DPS should be approached with some skepticism. Below are the only two verified photos shared by the FBI and DPS at this time.

Earlier today, a photo was shared by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that appeared to show a “higher quality” image of the suspected shooter. They later edited the post to say that the photo appeared to be an AI-enhanced picture.

“Please note this appears to be an AI enhanced photo that has been denoised at a minimum. We are aware this may distort glasses, shirt decals, and make skin appear waxey and ultra smooth,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the post.

While the possibly AI-enhanced version of this photo may help get a clearer image, it could potentially provide inaccurate details or make the suspected shooter look different from how he really appears.

Other AI-generated/enhanced photos have been posted and shared on social media. If you’re in doubt about whether something you’ve seen is real, use the following Better Business Bureau guidelines to identify AI:

• Find a high-resolution image and zoom in. If you see a surprising photo of a politician or celebrity, look closer before you believe what’s in the picture. Search the image in the highest possible resolution and then zoom in. You’ll likely find a few giveaways if you’re looking at an AI-generated image.
• Consider asymmetry and other physical inconsistencies – but be careful. Less sophisticated versions of AI can have a hard time with physical traits. Asymmetry in human faces, teeth, and hands is a common issue with poor-quality AI images. You might notice hands with extra (or not enough) fingers, too.
• Strange textures or a glossy effect. AI images often have textured backgrounds or an airbrushed look that real photos don’t share. You might also notice strange-looking backgrounds or sharp images with random blurry spots.