FBI Releases Images Amid Search For Charlie Kirk's Killer
BBC News
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The FBI release images of a "person of interest" in the Charlie Kirk shooting
The killer is still at large but the FBI say they found a high-powered rifle and tracked the movements of the suspected gunman
Kirk, an ally of President Trump, was shot at a Utah university – officials say the suspect "appears to be of college age" and fled "into a neighbourhood"
The weapon was found in a wooded area, and officials are analysing a "footwear impression… and a forearm imprint"
Earlier, two people questioned by police were released
Meanwhile, Donald Trump says he will award Kirk the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" posthumously
Edited by Caitlin Wilson and Neha Gohil, with Nada Tawfik, Regan Morris and Christal Hayes at Utah Valley University
For those just joining the page, the FBI have released the first pictures of a "person of interest" in the shooting of Charlie Kirk yesterday. Let's take a look at the latest developments.
What we know:
What we don't know:
We're still monitoring developments from officials in tracking down Kirk's killer – stay with us right here as we bring you the latest.
The FBI in Salt Lake City has just released pictures of a "person of interest" in the shooting of Charlie Kirk yesterday.
They are asking for the public's help in identifying the person. They are the first images law enforcement has released of an individual they believe may be involved in Kirk's death.
You can see the photos below:
Landau says he has been "disgusted" by some of the online reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk
The US Undersecretary of State, Christopher Landau, says "appropriate action" will be taken against "foreigners who glorify violence".
In a post on X, Landau says he has been "disgusted" to see comments on social media "praising, rationalising or making light" of the killing of Charlie Kirk and those who "glorify violence and hatred" are "not welcome visitors" to the country.
He says he has directed consular officials to "undertake appropriate action" and tells his followers "to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the State Department can protect the American people".
In a response to a tweet, Landau then says he will direct consular officials to monitor the comments to his post.
BBC Visual Journalism Team
While a manhunt is still ongoing to find the killer of Charlie Kirk, investigators have shared some details about the suspect.
In a news conference earlier today, officials said the suspect "appears to be of college age" who arrived on campus at 11:52 local time yesterday.
After the shooting, he is believed to have jumped off the roof of a building on campus, fleeing "into a neighbourhood," officials said.
Video footage taken from inside a building behind the gazebo that Kirk was in appears to show someone running across the roof of the Losee Center building, right after the shooting.
We have analysed that footage below. 
Gabriela Pomeroy
Live reporter
Chandler and Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point Young Black Leaders Summit in 2018
I've been speaking to a young activist, Chandler Crump, who says meeting Charlie Kirk at the age of 14 "changed my life".
Chandler – who is now 20 and describes himself as a Gen Z political commentator – first met Kirk at the Young Black Leadership Summit in 2018, which was sponsored by the conservative group Turning Point USA – founded by Kirk.
Since then he has been to every single Turning Point national conference and met Kirk many times.
“We were young black leaders wearing Maga hats and he said it doesn’t matter if you are black or white,” Chandler says. “Political figures tend to speak down to us – but he did not. He is paying attention to us. That’s why young people listen to him.”
Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Chandler says: “I met Charlie at a time when there was a sense that young people were down and out and struggling. We felt weak and he empowered us."
Chandler says he is “absolutely convinced” that Kirk helped President Trump win the 2024 election. “The movement worked hand in hand with the Trump campaign get out the vote for Trump," he says.
Speaking on the phone through tears, Chandler feels a real sense of loss. "I am torn up. It hurts so much.”
Nada Tawfik
Reporting from Utah Valley University
Earlier today we arrived at the Utah Valley University campus here in Orem – the site of the killing of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
While walking through one of the buildings here, we could see through the windows the low-level courtyard where Kirk was fatally shot.
The crime scene is wrapped in yellow tape and feels frozen in time: attendees' personal belongings are still strewn all across the lawn, with abandoned bags and even strollers. The displays from Kirk's event on Wednesday have even been tipped over.
Though we learned some details from investigators at a news conference earlier, we are still waiting to hear more definitive information on the ongoing manhunt – and the suspect's identity and motive.
We'll continue to bring you more information from here on the ground, stick with us.
We're about to start an hour-long special programme on the death of Charlie Kirk in our stream, where our experts and reporters in Utah will analyse what happened yesterday – and answer your questions.
Press watch live at the top of the page.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for Americans to come together
Top Democrats have condemned political violence and urged Americans to unite in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shooting.
As a reminder, officials confirmed earlier that the killer is still at large and no details have yet been released about the suspect’s motive.
"This is a time that all Americans should come together and feel and mourn what happened," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tells the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
"Violence, which affects so many different people of so many different political persuasions, is an affliction of America, and coming together is what we ought to be doing, not pointing fingers or blame," he adds.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Schumer’s comments: "This moment requires leadership that brings the American people together, as opposed to trying to further divide us.
"Political violence in any form against any American is unacceptable, should be denounced by everyone."
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington
As reporters were leaving the 9/11 memorial service at the Pentagon just a short while ago, President Trump briefly stopped and spoke to us before quickly entering his vehicle to begin the short drive back to the White House.
"I can't believe Charlie," Trump said, seemingly unprompted. "What a great guy he was."
Asked whether he had plans to speak to his family, Trump said that he "has it set for this afternoon".
Additionally, Trump said that "we're going to be talking about" how to bring the country together "very soon," without providing more details.
"We will be discussing [that]. You don't replace a Charlie Kirk. He's unique, as you all know…but, we'll do the best we can."
A reporter also asked for an update on the investigation, to which Trump replied that he had been briefed earlier.
"What you're seeing on the news is what it is," he said. "They have a virtual manhunt out there. We'll see what happens. We hope they get him."
The FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety gave an update on the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk earlier today
On the shooter's identity:
Authorities said they are still working to identify the shooter. Not many details have been released about the suspect, although investigators have been referring to him as male.
Utah’s Department of Public Safety said the suspect "blended in well with the college institution" and “appears to be of college age”.
Authorities said they have images of the shooter, but they’re not releasing them yet – but they will release them if they're unsuccessful and need the public's help.
Authorities also clarified the two people they interviewed yesterday immediately after the shooting were "persons of interest", not suspects.
On the shooter's movements
The suspect arrived on campus at 11:52 yesterday, officials said – just under half hour before Charlie Kirk was shot at around 12:20.
Investigators said he went "onto the campus, through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof to the shooting location".
After the shooting, the shooter then "moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled off of the campus into a neighbourhood".
At some point, the shooter fled to a wooded area and the weapon believed to have been used in the shooting – a “high-powered bolt action rife” – was found there. Authorities did not say where this wooded area is.
A "footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints" have been found by investigators and are being analysed.
US President Donald Trump has announced he will award Charlie Kirk posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The medal is the highest civilian honour awarded in the US.
It is given to people who have made "exceptionally meritorious contributions to the nation's prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours".
Earlier this month, Donald Trump announced that the former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani would receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2017, President Barack Obama awarded then-Vice-President Joe Biden with the Medal of Freedom.
Before President Trump spoke at the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a few words on the death of Charlie Kirk.
“The life, example and even death of Christ follower and American patriot, Charlie Kirk, give me hope,” Hegseth said. “Sheer courage, no matter the arena.
“Charlie we love you, we know that you have heard the Lord’s words. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Hegseth ends saying: “Like those on 9/11, he will never be forgotten.” Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC
I'm currently at the Pentagon, where just moments ago President Trump stepped into the lectern at a memorial service for 9/11.
He began his remarks by addressing the death of Charlie Kirk directly as he spoke to a crowd of several dozen people, including service members in uniform and families of those who fell on 9/11.
"We miss him greatly," Trump told the crowd. "Yet I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and the courage that he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on".
Trump then announced the he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honour that a civilian can be awarded in the US.
"I can only guarantee you one thing – that we will have a very big crowd," he said. "Very, very big."
As he spoke, I saw several members of the crowd, including civilians and several dressed in Army and Marine Corps uniforms, nodding silently.
The significance of Charlie's death was also remarked upon by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who compared him to those who perished on 9/11.
"Charlie; we love you," he said. "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Some more now on President Trump's comments on the killing of Charlie Kirk, as he addresses a 9/11 memorial service.
He starts by referencing the "horror and grief" so many Americans would have felt at the "heinous assassination of Kirk".
The president calls him a "giant" of his generation and a "champion" of liberty who inspired millions.
"We miss his greatly," Trump continues, adding that he has no doubt that both his "voice and the courage that he put into the hearts of countless people will live on".
President Trump has just announced that he will be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The date of the ceremony is yet to be announced, he adds, but says he has no doubt there will be a "very big crowd".
We'll have more on Trump's comments, who is speaking at a 9/11 memorial event, shortly.
We have just heard from the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety who gave an update on the manhunt for the killer of Charlie Kirk. Here's what we learnt:
FBI special agent in charge Robert Bohls says they have images of the shooter and don't believe the community is at risk.
Answering a question from a reporter, he says they are "exhausting every resource" to find the shooter.
Bohls says they have images of the suspect but "can't comment specifically on his face" as it remains part of the investigation. "We'll release that shortly," he says.
The special agent adds: "We're not sure how far he has gone yet."
The update from officials has now ended and we'll bring you a summary of the key lines shortly – stick with us.
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Official: Suspect 'appears to be of college age'
Answering a question from a reporter, Utah DPS Commissioner Beau Mason says the suspect "appears to be of college age".
He says the suspect "blended in well with the college institution" before adding: "We're not releasing many details right now. We will soon. But right now, we're not.
"But that individual appears to be of college age."
Next up to speak is FBI special agent in charge Robert Bohls.
He says investigators this morning have recovered "what we believe to be the weapon that was used in yesterday's shooting" – a high-powered bolt-action rifle – in a wooded area where authorities believe the shooter fled.
They have also found and are analysing a "footwear impression" and "a forearm imprint".
Bohls thanks the community for the more than 130 tips the FBI has received so far.
Utah DPS Commissioner Beau Mason says he cannot imagine what the people at the scene felt yesterday. Some people barricaded themselves in classrooms while others ran in fear, he says.
"I can't overstate the tragedy and the horrific event that yesterday was," he says before adding they will work to bring to justice the individual or individuals involved.
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