Utah Public Safety releases images of suspected shooter in Charlie Kirk assassination

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — Agents with the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety have released information about the suspect believed to have assassinated Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

“We do have good video footage of this individual,” Department of Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said. “We are not sure how far he has gone yet.”

Utah Public Safety released images of a new person of interest in the assassination asking for help from the public in identifying the shooter.

(Courtesy//Utah Public Safety)

Officials say the individual suspected of killing Kirk arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. Wednesday morning, shortly before the event began at noon in the UVU Courtyard.

It is believed that the shooter fired the deadly shot from a nearby building known as the Losee Center approximately 200 yards away.

Officials believe the shooter fired from on top of the roof before fleeing into a “wooded area” nearby.

Commissioner Mason said investigators have found camera footage that follows the individual’s path onto a nearby roof where he is believed to have fire the single shot, killing Kirk. Footage shows the individual leave the roof and flee into a nearby neighborhood.

“We have recovered what we believe to be the weapon used,” FBI Special Agent in Charge, Robert Bohles, said during the press conference. The weapon was described as a “high-powered, bolt action rifle” that was found in a wooded area near the site of the assassination.

Mason said the suspect “blended in well with the institution” and officials believe he may have been “college aged.”

“As of this morning, we have received over 130 tips. We thank the community for that,” Bohles added. “Any attack on the first amendment is an attack on our democracy.”

The FBI released the names of both men who were taken into custody as part of the investigation into Kirk’s death. The first man taken into custody, George Zinn, was later released and charged with obstruction by UVU police.

The second suspect who was taken into custody was named Zachariah Qureshi. He was also released after an interrogation with law enforcement.

“There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals. There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter,” Utah DPS said in a press release.

“The family is devastated,” Mason said during Thursday’s press conference. “The heinous event that happened yesterday is not Utah.”

Special Agent Bohls confirmed that his team is analyzing a foot ware impression, palm print, and forearm imprints that were found at the scene.

FBI agents are currently analyzing the rifle as well as possible “foot ware impression” and “palm print” found near the scene of the assassination.

Officials will not be releasing the footage at this time.

Anyone with individual is asked to provide their tips to the FBI’s tipline here.