Charlie Kirk was gunned down throughout a campus occasion at Utah Valley University on Tuesday (September 10), prompting a sweeping federal manhunt and a wave of political response. Now, the FBI has launched surveillance photographs of an individual of curiosity and confirmed the restoration of a high-powered rifle believed to be the homicide weapon.

The FBI’s Salt Lake City workplace posted two pictures of the unidentified man on social media, displaying him in a baseball cap and sun shades, captured in a stairwell.

“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the company mentioned.

Authorities mentioned the suspect, believed to be college-aged, climbed to the roof of a campus constructing and opened fireplace on Kirk, putting him as soon as round 12:20 p.m. native time. He was rushed to a hospital and later pronounced useless.

Investigators say the shooter arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m. and accessed the rooftop by way of stairwells earlier than firing into the group gathered for the out of doors occasion. After the shot, the suspect fled by leaping off the other aspect of the constructing and escaping into a close-by neighborhood, in keeping with Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason.

Law enforcement recovered a Mauser .30-06 bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded space close to the scene. The firearm, described as an older imported mannequin, nonetheless had a spent cartridge chambered and three unused rounds etched with language referencing “transgender and anti-fascist ideology,” in keeping with preliminary studies shared with regulation enforcement. The FBI is conducting DNA and fingerprint evaluation on the weapon and ammunition.

“We will not stand for what happened yesterday,” Mason mentioned Thursday (September 11). “We are investing everything we have into this and we will catch this individual.”

Officials additionally collected a footwear impression, palm print and forearm imprints from the realm. Authorities mentioned the assault seemed to be focused, although the motive stays beneath investigation.

More than 3,000 individuals have been on the occasion, which featured a “prove me wrong” desk, in keeping with the tour’s web site. Despite on-line petitions opposing Kirk’s look, police mentioned there have been no credible threats earlier than the capturing. Six officers and Kirk’s personal safety have been current.

The college will stay closed via Saturday (September 13), in keeping with a discover on its web site. Two people have been initially detained after the capturing however have been later launched. One was charged with obstruction by college police. Authorities mentioned neither has any connection to the capturing.

The killing of Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two and founding father of Turning Point USA, drew swift and emotional reactions from political leaders.

Donald Trump posted a tribute on-line, calling Kirk “The Great, and even Legendary” and saying, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.” Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff via Sunday and introduced Kirk would obtain the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, calling him a “giant of his generation.”

In a video, Trump blamed political rhetoric for fueling violence. “It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree,” he mentioned. “This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”

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