Manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer enters 3rd day as questions swirl

Questions are mounting because the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s killer enters its third day following the discharge of recent video of an individual of curiosity.

Within the newest video, which was performed throughout a information convention with state and federal officers Thursday night, the suspected gunman could be seen climbing down from the roof of a constructing on the campus of Utah Valley College the place authorities consider he fired the deadly shot and fled rom the scene.

The FBI stated it’s providing a reward of as much as $100,000 for data resulting in the identification and arrest of the particular person answerable for Kirk’s homicide.

Utah authorities launched images of the particular person of curiosity within the taking pictures on Thursday by which the person could be seen on steps whereas carrying a black backpack and sporting a shirt with what gave the impression to be an American flag print on it.

Thus far authorities have acquired greater than 7,000 suggestions and leads and accomplished some 200 interviews, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated.

Amid the manhunt for the shooter, officers stated Thursday they’re working “across the clock” to find the particular person of curiosity, who’s believed to be college-aged.

The FBI additionally stated Thursday it has recovered what’s believed to be the weapon used within the lethal taking pictures. A “high-powered bolt motion rifle” was recovered in a wooded space close to the place the taking pictures happened, in line with Salt Lake Metropolis FBI Particular Agent in Cost Robert Bohls.

The rifle is an older mannequin imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt motion rifle wrapped in a towel, a number of regulation enforcement sources instructed ABC Information. The situation of the firearm seems to match the suspect’s route of journey, the sources stated.

The spent cartridge was nonetheless chambered and three unspent cartridges contained wording on them expressing what some regulation enforcement officers described as “transgender and anti-fascist” writing, in line with preliminary data shared with businesses. It is unclear what meaning and authorities are nonetheless working to find out the that means or whether or not the markings had been meant as misdirection for investigators.

Officers stated that at 11:52 a.m. on Wednesday, the suspect arrived on the Orem campus after which proceeded to journey via the stairwells as much as the roof of a constructing close to the the place the outside occasion was going down, earlier than the shooter fired down at Kirk, Utah Division of Public Security Commissioner Beau Mason stated on Thursday.

Kirk was hit by a single shot at roughly 12:20 p.m. and brought to a hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless, authorities stated.

After the taking pictures, the suspected shooter traveled to the opposite facet of the constructing, jumped off and fled off-campus right into a neighborhood, Mason stated. Officers are working via close by neighborhoods, contacting folks with doorbell cameras and chatting with witnesses to determine any leads, Mason stated.

“I wish to make it crystal clear proper now to whoever did this, we are going to discover you. We are going to attempt you, and we are going to maintain you accountable to the furthest extent of the regulation,” Cox stated throughout a press briefing Wednesday, calling the deadly taking pictures a “political assassination.”

He stated state officers are already transferring to pursue the dying penalty if the case goes to trial.