The suspect who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday remains at large.
Investigators say they recovered a weapon and “good footage” of the college-aged gunman. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was hit by a single bullet around 12:20 p.m. while speaking on campus yesterday.
“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,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said Thursday. “That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. So the FBI laboratory will be analyzing this weapon. Investigators have also collected footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason also confirmed, “we do have good video footage of this individual.”
“Starting at 11:52 a.m. this subject arrived on campus. Shortly away from campus, we have tracked his movements onto the campus, through the stairwells, up to the roof across the roof to the shooting location,” Mason added. “After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled off of the campus and into a neighborhood. Our investigators have worked through those neighborhoods, contacting anybody they can with doorbell cameras, witnesses and thoroughly worked through those communities, trying to identify any leads.”
Mason said investigators had campus security footage of the suspect, though the quality was limited, showing him in dark clothing. Dispatch audio described the gunman as wearing black jeans, a tactical vest, helmet, mask, and carrying a long gun.
Since the assassination, President Trump announced Thursday that Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump said during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people. Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children – fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly.”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just announced he will be posthumously awarding Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and inspiration to millions and millions of people.”
“We miss him greatly.. I have no doubt… pic.twitter.com/gAuYcisZ4p
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 11, 2025
The Utah Department of Public Safety said that Kirk, after being shot, was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. They released the following statement on the murder of Kirk:
“This shooting is still an active investigation. The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are co-leading this incident in unison with the Utah County Attorney’s office, the Utah County Sheriff’s office, and the local police departments… DPS’s State Crime Lab, along with all law enforcement involved, are working multiple active crime scenes. These were identified based on where the victim was shot, as well as the locations where the suspect and victim traveled… The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack. The shooter is believed to have fired from the roof of a building down to the location of the public event in the student courtyard. Any additional clarifications cannot be provided to protect the integrity of our investigation.”
DPS said George Zinn was briefly held as a suspect but released after being charged with obstruction. A second person was also detained and cleared. Neither is tied to the shooting. The FBI is now seeking public tips, photos, or videos from the incident.
“To secure the event, UVU PD had six officers working the event,” DPS said. “These security measures were in addition to Charlie Kirk’s security detail, who travels with him. Approximately 3,000 people attended. The location of the event was held in the university quad, an outdoor bowl courtyard on campus for events. This is a tragic moment for Utah and our country.”
