The gunman who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk remained at large Thursday as investigators reviewed security footage showing a figure “dressed in all dark clothing.”
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was hit by a single bullet around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.
The FBI released a statement on the X platform that it is assisting local law enforcement in the investigation while asking for the public’s help in identifying the assassin.
“The FBI is working alongside our local and state law enforcement partners in Utah to fully investigate and seek justice in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” the FBI said.
The bureau also said Thursday morning it has ample video footage of the alleged shooter, noting that the person managed to escape from a rooftop and into a nearby neighborhood. Also, the FBI said it had located the weapon allegedly used in the attack – a high-powered, bolt-action rifle that was found in a wooded area near the campus.
The bureau also added they have some forensic evidence regarding the shooter, who “appears to be of college age,” said a spokesman.
The FBI is working alongside our local and state law enforcement partners in Utah to fully investigate and seek justice in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Anyone with information, photos, and video from the incident can help the FBI identity more… pic.twitter.com/JEQ22lIwfv
— FBI (@FBI) September 11, 2025
Utah officials have also spoken about the case. “The only information we have on the suspect, the possible shooter, is taken from closed-circuit TV here on campus,” Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said Wednesday after the assassination.
“We do have that. We’re analyzing it. But it is security camera footage, so you can kind of guess what the quality of that is,” he added. “But we do know, dressed in all dark clothing. But we don’t have a much better description other than that.”
Kirk was shot and rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to Utah officials.
“This shooting is still an active investigation,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement. “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 statement continued.
“The shooting is believed to be a targeted attack,” it also said. “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.”
The Department of Public Safety said George Zinn was initially detained as a suspect but later released, though campus police charged him with obstruction.
A second person was also taken into custody, DPS added, but was released after questioning by investigators.
