The search for the person who tragically shot and killed Charlie Kirk at a Utah university campus is moving forward. Federal agents have just revealed new clues they hope will lead them to the killer. According to reports from a prominent entertainment news channel, this information was first broken by Us Weekly.
During a press conference held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, September 11, FBI officials shared details about the evidence they’ve found. They announced the discovery of a distinct “footwear impression.” Along with this, investigators also uncovered a palm print and a forearm print. Authorities believe these crucial pieces of evidence could help them finally identify the person responsible for the shooting.
The Weapon and the Pursuit
The FBI’s hunt for the suspect also led them to a “wooded area” near the campus. There, they located a “high-powered bolt-action rifle.” Sources told The New York Times that bullets were also recovered from the scene. While tests have been conducted on both the bullets and the weapon, no one has been named as a person of interest just yet. Beau Mason, who serves as the Commissioner for the Utah Department of Public Safety, shared a general description of the suspect. He stated that the individual “appears to be of college age.”
Charlie Kirk Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
A Day of Tragedy and Confusion
The incident happened while Kirk was speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. He was there for an event hosted by his conservative group, Turning Point. Authorities say the shooter was positioned on a rooftop. The suspect arrived at the university at 11:52 a.m. Kirk was mid-speech when he was suddenly shot in the neck. Videos shared online show a brief moment of shock among the audience. Then, chaos erupted, with people running for cover.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement briefly detained a man at the scene. However, he was released shortly after. A few hours after Kirk’s death, FBI Director Kash Patel, 45, posted on X that “the subject of today’s horrific shooting” had been arrested. Yet, just a couple of hours later, Patel updated his post. He clarified that the “Detained subject has been released following law enforcement questioning.” This added a layer of confusion to an already tragic event.
Charlie Kirk Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images
A Nation Mourns: Tributes Pour In
The news of Kirk’s death sent shockwaves through the political world, prompting many leaders to share their condolences. President Donald Trump posted a heartfelt tribute on Truth Social. He wrote, “The great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk, has died.” Trump added that “Nobody understood or had the heart of America’s youth better than Charlie.” He went on to say, “Everyone loved and admired him, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and I send our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and his family. Charlie, we love you!”
Vice President JD Vance also shared his sadness, writing, “Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of person you could tell anything to and know he would always keep it.” Former President Barack Obama weighed in on the shooting via X. He tweeted, “We still don’t know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this despicable violence has no place in our democracy.” Obama concluded, “Michelle and I will be praying tonight for Charlie’s family, especially his wife Erika and his two young children.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed that she was “deeply disturbed” by the shooting. She stated, “Doug [her husband] and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.” Harris then emphasized, “Let it be clear: political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we must all work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
Charlie Kirk, who was 31 years old, is survived by his wife, Erika Lane Frantzve, and their two young children.