Charlie Kirk killing: Earlier, FBI said it had also recovered the ‘high-powered’ bolt-action rifle that was used to kill Kirk. It said the shooter, who appears to be of ‘college age’, had jumped off a roof and fled after taking the fatal shot, and blended in among the students at the Utah campus.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released the picture of the ‘person of interest’ in connection with the killing of Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old, a conservative activist and a close ally of US President Donald Trump, was shot dead during a college event in Utah on Wednesday.
“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,” said the FBI Salt Lake City on an ‘X’ (previously Twitter) post.
FBI recovers ‘high-powered’ rifle used to kill Kirk
Earlier, the FBI said it had also recovered the ‘high-powered’ bolt-action rifle that was used to kill Kirk. It said the shooter, who appears to be of ‘college age’, had jumped off a roof and fled after taking the fatal shot, and blended in among the students at the Utah campus.
“We are confident in our abilities to track that individual,” said Utah DPS Commissioner Beau Mason at a joint press briefing with FBI special agent Robert Bohls.ย
Kirk’s killing ‘dark moment’ for US: Trump
Kirk’s killing left US President Donald Trump in shock, who called the incident a ‘dark moment’ for the United States. It must be noted that Kirk had played a key role in Trump’s victorious 2024 presidential election campaign.
In a video statement, Trump accused the ‘radical left’ behind the killing of Kirk, and urged the countrymen to commit themselves to the values Kirk ‘lived and died’ for. “Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror,” said Trump.
Biden denounces Kirk’s killing
Former US President Joe Biden also denounced the killing. In an ‘X’ post, he said: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirkโs family and loved ones.”
First Lady Melania Trump also paid tribute to Kirk and said his life should serve as a “symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country”. “Charlieโs children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their fatherโs voice should have echoed,” she posted on ‘X’.
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