FBI Announces Breakthrough in Hunt for Charlie Kirk’s Shooter

Note: The full video of the FBI’s press conference update is included at the end of this article.

Introduction

The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, continues to dominate national headlines. On Wednesday, September 10, Kirk was fatally shot while hosting a debate at Utah Valley University (UVU) in front of an audience of approximately 3,000 people.

Now, federal and state officials have confirmed that investigators have made a “breakthrough” in the case. During a press conference on Thursday, September 11, law enforcement leaders revealed they have tracked the suspected shooter’s movements across the UVU campus, recovered what is believed to be the murder weapon, and obtained video footage that may prove critical in identifying the killer.

What Happened at Utah Valley University

Charlie Kirk’s public appearance at UVU was meant to be another one of his signature debates — lively, confrontational, and highly attended. He was roughly 20 minutes into the event, engaging with an audience member on the subject of gun violence, when a single shot rang out.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as chaotic and horrifying. Kirk, seated under a canopy, was struck in the neck and collapsed as screams filled the courtyard. Attendees immediately ducked, some crawling to cover while others rushed toward exits.

Journalist Emma Pitts, reporting for Deseret News, told the BBC:

“We all dropped to the ground, and I want to say we sat like that for about 30 to 45 seconds, and then everyone around us got up and started running.”

Kirk’s security team moved quickly, rushing him into a private vehicle and driving him to the hospital. Despite immediate medical intervention, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

FBI and Public Safety: A Breakthrough Emerges

During a joint press conference, Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason and FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls provided the first detailed timeline of the shooter’s movements.

Tracking the Suspect

Mason explained that surveillance footage and witness accounts allowed investigators to trace the shooter’s actions beginning just minutes before the attack.

The suspect arrived near campus at 11:52 a.m.
He was tracked entering UVU grounds and moving through stairwells.
From there, he climbed to the roof of the Losee Center, which overlooks the courtyard where Kirk was speaking.
The gunman then positioned himself at a clear vantage point before firing the fatal shot.
Immediately after the shooting, the suspect fled across the roof, jumped from the building, and escaped into a nearby neighborhood.

“We have tracked his movements onto the campus through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof, to a shooting location. After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off, and fled into a neighborhood,” Mason confirmed.

According to Mason, the individual “appears to be of college age” and blended in seamlessly with the student body.

Video Footage of the Shooter

Perhaps the most significant update is that investigators have obtained clear video footage of the suspect. Officials, however, are not yet releasing it to the public.

Mason stated:

“We are confident in our abilities to track that individual. If we’re unsuccessful in identifying them immediately, we will reach out for the public’s help and the media’s help in pushing those photos.”

For now, law enforcement is using the footage internally as they pursue leads, emphasizing that they are “doing everything possible to find him.”

The Weapon Recovered

In another development, FBI Agent Robert Bohls revealed that the suspected weapon used in the assassination has been recovered.

“I can tell you that we have recovered what we believe is the weapon that was used in yesterday’s shooting. It is a high-powered bolt action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. The FBI laboratory will be analyzing this weapon.”

The discovery of the rifle could prove pivotal in matching ballistic evidence to the shot that killed Kirk, potentially linking the firearm directly to the suspect.

National Reaction

The assassination has drawn responses from leaders across the political spectrum.

Donald Trump’s Statement

Former President Donald Trump, a longtime ally of Kirk, confirmed his death on Truth Social and described the activist as both “great” and “legendary.”

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Trump later ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half-mast nationwide until Sunday evening in Kirk’s honor.

White House Response

Vice President Kamala Harris also condemned the attack, calling it a disturbing act of political violence.

“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America.”

A Nation on Edge

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is being described by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as a “political assassination.” His statement reflects growing concerns about the escalation of violence tied to political events.

With the suspect still at large, campuses, law enforcement agencies, and public officials are on heightened alert. Residents in Orem, Utah, have been asked to report any suspicious activity as the manhunt continues.

What Comes Next

Authorities have promised transparency as the investigation unfolds, but key questions remain unanswered:

Who is the suspect, and what was his motive?
Was the assassination premeditated, or the act of a lone individual?
Could the rifle recovered be traced to other crimes or networks?

For now, the FBI and state officials are urging patience, emphasizing that every lead is being pursued.

Conclusion

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves across the nation, raising questions about security, political extremism, and the safety of public figures. The developments revealed in Thursday’s press conference mark a significant step forward in the investigation, offering hope that the suspect will soon be identified and captured.

As Americans mourn the loss of a prominent and polarizing figure, the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety continue to press ahead in their search. The recovery of the weapon and tracking of the shooter’s movements represent key breakthroughs — but until the suspect is apprehended, the community remains on edge.

Watch the full FBI press conference update on the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation at the end of this article.