Charlie Kirk murder: FBI releases photo of Person of Interest, offers $100K reward

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The incident occurred on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, during Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” event.

Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was addressing a crowd of nearly 3,000 students when he was struck by a single sniper bullet to the neck.

The attack, which took place under a white tent adorned with slogans like “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong,” caused widespread panic among attendees. Emergency services were unable to save Kirk, who collapsed on stage and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FBI, in collaboration with the Utah Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement, is treating the shooting as a targeted political assassination.

On September 11, the FBI’s Salt Lake City office released images of a person of interest described as college-aged, wearing a dark hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve black shirt with an American flag design.

The individual was captured on video in a stairwell near the event site. Authorities have also recovered a high-powered Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, wrapped in a towel, from a wooded area near UVU.

The rifle, believed to be the murder weapon, contained a spent cartridge and three unspent cartridges with inscriptions described by some law enforcement sources as expressing “transgender and anti-fascist” sentiments, though the significance of these markings remains under investigation.

“We are working around the clock to identify and apprehend the individual responsible for this heinous act,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls during a Thursday press conference.

“We have good video footage of this person of interest, and we’re urging the public to come forward with any information, photos, or videos that could assist in this investigation.”

The FBI has set up a digital media tipline at fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting and is encouraging tips via 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The murder has sent shockwaves through the political and academic communities, raising concerns about safety on university campuses and the escalating risks of political violence.

Kirk, a polarizing figure known for his outspoken conservative views, had been a key figure in mobilizing young voters during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.

His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from conservative leaders, with President Trump announcing plans to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Trump administration has also signaled a broader response, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stating that foreign visa applicants or holders who glorify Kirk’s assassination on social media could face entry bans.

Additionally, Representative Clay Higgins has vowed to push for tech companies to ban users who belittle the murder, describing such individuals as “evil, sick animals.”