Manhunt for Charlie Kirk assassin stretches into third day

The manhunt for the assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in Utah on Wednesday, has stretched into a third day.

Authorities on Thursday released a video showing the suspected shooter running across the roof of a building on the Utah Valley University campus, where Kirk was engaging in debate on gun reform as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” The suspect can also be seen coming down the side of the building, making his way through the parking lot and heading toward the busy street. 

The man in the video, according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason, “left some palm impressions.”

“There’s some smudges in some places we’re looking to collect DNA,” Mason told reporters at a press conference. “There’s a shoe imprint where we believe the suspect is clearly identified as wearing Converse tennis shoes.” 

Earlier Thursday, the FBI said it recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle in the wooded area, near Utah Valley University, where Kirk was killed. 

Law enforcement also released new photos of the person of interest, showing he wore black sunglasses, a black long-sleeve shirt with an eagle and an American flag and blue jeans. The officials said they are analyzing imprints of a palm, a forearm and a shoe of the person of interest. 

“We cannot do our job without the public’s help,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) said during Thursday night’s press briefing.

The event was also attended by FBI Director Kash Patel, who did not address the media. None of the officials took questions from journalists present. 

The FBI is offering up to $100,000 for information that would lead to the arrest of Kirk’s assassin. 

Cox said that officials will pursue the death penalty once the shooter is caught. 

Mason said during a television interview that officials had “no idea” if the shooter was still in Utah.

President Trump, who had a close relationship with the Turning Point USA co-founder, suggested Thursday that “big progress” had been made in the search.

“I hear they’re making big progress, and we’ll see what happens,” he told reporters.

Vice President Vance traveled to the Beehive State earlier Thursday to pay respect to Kirk’s family and to escort his casket via Air Force Two to the late activist’s home state of Arizona.