FBI releases images of 'person of interest' in Charlie Kirk shooting, offers $100,000 reward, recovers suspected murder weapon

Charlie Kirk Murder

The FBI’s Salt Lake City field office has released images of a person of interest connected to the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Authorities have also announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual.

The photos show the individual dressed in black sunglasses, a baseball cap, a long-sleeved black shirt, and jeans.

The FBI continues to work alongside our law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. We are releasing additional photos of a person of interest. Information about this developing investigation can be found… pic.twitter.com/woZacCxYgE

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— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 12, 2025

The FBI further confirmed that the Utah Valley University (UVU) campus will remain closed for the rest of the week.

The screenshots were pulled from campus security footage just before the shooting, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Firearm recovery 

Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, told reporters that a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” was recovered from the “wooded area where the shooter had fled.”

Officials said Thursday they are working “around the clock” to locate the suspect, who is believed to be college-aged.

According to multiple law enforcement sources cited by ABC News, the firearm is an older-model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle, wrapped in a towel. Its location appears to match the suspect’s route of travel, the sources added.

Preliminary findings indicated that the spent cartridge remained chambered, while three unspent cartridges carried markings with wording some officials described as “transgender and anti-fascist.” Authorities said it remains unclear what the markings signify or whether they were meant to mislead investigators.

The weapon and cartridges will be flown to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, for advanced forensic testing. Investigators will examine the rifle for latent fingerprints and DNA, after which the firearm will be disassembled to gather additional importer information, according to law enforcement sources.

“We do have good video footage of this individual. We are not going to release that at this time," said Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason.