Orem, Utah – On Thursday morning, Utah State Police set up a perimeter at the Ross Center of Utah Valley University while searching for the individual responsible for the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.
Authorities confirmed that the shot that fatally wounded Kirk originated from a campus building’s roof, located roughly 200 yards from where he was speaking. However, it’s still unverified if the shot came specifically from the Losee Center. Meanwhile, state police blocked traffic outside the Rose Center as they conducted investigations in the area.
Witnesses captured videos on Wednesday showing individuals dressed in dark clothing running within a campus building.
Utah Public Safety Director Beau Mason informed reporters, “We tracked his movements across the roof toward the shooting location.” He clarified that post-shooting, the suspect moved to the opposite side before jumping from the building and fleeing the campus into a nearby neighborhood.
Mason mentioned that authorities possess “good video footage” of the shooter on the roof, which is being used to identify the suspect. The campus is closed until Monday, September 15th, with students advised to leave, while media and law enforcement remain on-site.
On Thursday, journalists were permitted onto the campus, but several police vehicles had set up outside the Losee Center, indicating an ongoing investigation.
The investigation appears to be progressing rapidly, with law enforcement reviewing multiple leads, although the suspect is still at large, according to the latest updates. A powerful bolt-action rifle was recovered from a wooded area where the shooter managed to escape, and FBI experts are currently analyzing the weapon.
Investigators are also collecting various pieces of evidence, including footwear impressions and palm prints. Mason indicated that efforts are underway to search the surrounding neighborhood and check doorbell cameras for clues.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identity and capture of the shooter.
Earlier, a press conference that hadbeen scheduled for 12:45 PM was canceled due to the “rapid development of the investigation.” Authorities appear to be in a race against time to piece together the details surrounding Kirk’s assassination.
This situation is unsettling. The fact that someone fired a shot in such a public setting is alarming, and it raises questions about security protocols on campus. I can’t help but wonder how the students must be feeling right now, given the intensity of the events unfolding around them. Every update brings more tension. It’s a complex investigation, and it seems like there are still many unanswered questions.
Overall, the campus community and law enforcement are undoubtedly on high alert, hoping for swift answers while grappling with the shock of such a tragic incident occurring in their midst.
