Charlie Kirk assassination suspect evades manhunt as investigators recover rifle in wooded area

The suspect who shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk remains on the run Thursday as investigators revealed they have recovered a weapon and have "good footage" of the gunman, whom they described as being "college age."

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was struck with a single bullet around 12:20 p.m. local time Wednesday while speaking at an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. 

President Donald 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."

"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 said, "we do have good video footage of this individual."

COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK 

 

"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 also said. 

 

Mason said Wednesday that investigators were in possession of "closed-circuit TV" footage of the suspect taken from campus security cameras.

"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."

Utah dispatch audio revealed the frantic moments after Kirk was shot.

"He’s going to be wearing all black, black long gun, black tactical helmet, a black mask, possibly wearing a tactical vest and jeans," a female dispatcher said over the radio, according to recordings.

 

The Utah Department of Public Safety said that Kirk, after being shot, was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

"This shooting is still an active investigation," the agency 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." 

VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: 'WE MUST HEAL' 

 

DPS said it initially took in George Zinn as a suspect, but later released him. Zinn was charged with obstruction by campus police. 

A second individual was then taken into custody, but he too was released following an interrogation by law enforcement, DPS added. 

"There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals," DPS said. 

The FBI is now asking the public to share any information, photos or videos they may have from the incident. 

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"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." 

Fox News' Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.