At a press conference on Thursday, 11 September 2025, Utah’s Department of Public Safety chief Beau Mason revealed new surveillance video showing the suspected Charlie Kirk killer escaping after the shooting at Utah Valley University.
The footage shows a man running along the roof of the building from which the fatal shot was fired, leaping down to the ground, and crossing a nearby street toward a wooded area.
Investigators later recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel in that area.
What the suspect looked like
The Department of Public Safety also released still images of the suspect. The man appears young, possibly of “college age,” and was wearing:
- A black long-sleeve T-shirt linked to a veterans’ charity,
- Blue Converse sneakers,
- A blue baseball cap, and
- A large black backpack.
Officials confirmed they have collected a palm print, forearm impressions, and a footwear impression believed to belong to the gunman.
The FBI announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Special Agent Robert Bohls said the man arrived on campus at 11:52 local time (19:52 SAST) on Wednesday, less than half an hour before Kirk was shot at around 12:20 (20:20 SAST).
Investigators believe he climbed the stairwell to the roof, took his position, fired one fatal shot at Kirk, and then escaped using the route seen on camera.
Bohls said there was no ongoing danger to residents in Orem, the city south of Salt Lake City where the university is located.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a “political assassination.” He warned that misinformation about the case was spreading online.
“Our adversaries want violence,” Cox said.
“We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence. I would encourage you to ignore those, to turn off those streams.”
Cox also promised that once caught, the killer would face the death penalty.
Watch the footage of the suspected killer below:
Charlie Kirk funeral arrangements
Charlie Kirk’s body has been moved to Hansen Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona.
US President Donald Trump said he expects to attend the funeral, which is likely to be held this weekend at Dream City Church, a megachurch where Kirk both worshipped and held political rallies.
Kirk, 31, leaves behind his wife, Erika, a three-year-old daughter, and a one-year-old son.