FBI releases photos of suspect in Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting; ammo engraved with ‘antifasc ideology’ | World News
FBI releases photographs of ‘person of interest’ on X in Charlie Kirk shooting. (Credit: FBI X)
The FBI on Thursday released images of a “person of interest” believed to have assassinated conservative activ and Donald Trump ally Charlie Kirk, as police and federal agents mounted a sweeping manhunt for the gunman.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead while addressing students at Utah Valley University, in what Utah Governor Spencer Cox described as a “political assassination.”
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Salt Lake City FBI tweeted: “We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.”
We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. 1-800-CALL-FBIDigital media tips: https://t.co/K7maX81TjJ pic.twitter.com/ALuVkTXuDc— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025
A sniper’s single shot
Authorities said Kirk was struck a lone sniper’s bullet while answering a student’s question on gun violence before an audience of 3,000 people. “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America in the last 10 years?” one audience member asked. Kirk replied, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” before collapsing after a single gunshot to the neck.
Investigators believe the shooter fired from a rooftop sniper’s nest on campus. “At large,” is how Beau Mason, commissioner of Utah’s Department of Public Safety, described the suspect, adding that security footage showed a figure in dark clothing. Two men were briefly detained but later released after officials confirmed no connection.
Ideological clues
The Wall Street Journal reported that investigators recovered ammunition engraved with expressions linked to “transgender and antifasc ideology” inside the rifle believed to have been used. The weapon still held three unfired rounds marked with similar inscriptions.
Kirk, co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His killing sparked bipartisan outrage. Cox warned, “When someone takes the life of a person because of their ideas or their ideals, then that very constitutional foundation is threatened.” Donald Trump said he would posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
