More than a day and a half after the assassination of conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, authorities have yet to identify or apprehend a suspect. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Wednesday during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
As of Thursday evening, neither the FBI nor state and local law enforcement have announced a breakthrough in the case. Investigators confirmed that they recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to be the murder weapon in a wooded area where the shooter is thought to have fled. Alongside the weapon, authorities collected a footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints, all of which are now being analyzed at FBI laboratories.
Adding to speculation, conservative commentator Steven Crowder published an image of a document he claimed was provided by a contact in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The document allegedly indicated that the rifle was marked with pro-transgender and anti-fascist slogans. While this report was later circulated by other outlets, the FBI has not confirmed the claim.
On Thursday, the FBI released two images showing a man walking up a staircase, labeling him a “person of interest.” It remains unclear whether authorities believe this man is the shooter or a potential witness. In a bid to generate leads, the FBI has offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.
The investigation has faced complications. On Wednesday, two men were briefly detained—one on campus immediately following the shooting and another later off campus. FBI Director Kash Patel later confirmed both were released after investigators determined they had no involvement.
The fact that a suspect remains unidentified has fueled widespread speculation and conspiracy theories. Many observers question how an assailant was able to carry out a high-profile assassination in a crowded venue with heavy police presence and then escape undetected. Historically, most high-profile assassinations in the United States have ended with suspects either apprehended at the scene or shortly thereafter. The clean getaway of Kirk’s killer has left the public both puzzled and uneasy, intensifying calls for transparency in the ongoing investigation.