TRANSCRIPT
"Be advised UVU (Utah Valley University) in Orem had an active shooter at the Charlie Kirk event. We're getting several calls. We're trying to get more information. UVU report of one individual that was shot. Unknown further. Where the shooter went is on top of this building on the far north side, just east of the library, wearing jeans, black shirt, black vest."
The search continues for the killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Federal investigators say the shooter is still at large, but new clues have emerged in Utah.
The FBI has released images of the potential shooter and is now offering a reward of up to A$150,000 Australian dollars (US$100,000) for information leading to an arrest.
Mr Kirk, a 31-year-old commentator and close ally of President Donald Trump, was shot dead with a single round during a campus event at Utah Valley University.
Commissioner Beau Mason, from the Utah Department of Public Safety, says the shooter is a young man.
"The suspect blended in well with a college institution. We're not releasing any details right now. We will soon. But right now, we're not. But that individual appears to be of college age."
FBI Salt Lake City Special-Agent-in-Charge Robert Bohls says several clues were left behind by the shooter.
"This morning, 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. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. So the FBI laboratory will be analysing this weapon. Investigators have also collected a footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis."
The FBI has stressed this was a targeted attack, but says every resource is being used to track the killer.
Commissioner Mason is urging the public not to turn on people wrongly identified online, after two individuals questioned by police were cleared of any involvement.
"Yesterday, during the investigative process, we located a couple of persons of interest. We interviewed those individuals, and after releasing them; and after clearing them of these suspects, they faced scrutiny. They faced threats. We asked the public to be patient with the investigative process. These individuals were not suspects. They were people of interest. We ask that you do not impose into those people, and that investigative process. They don't deserve the harassment for for being subject to that."
A news conference scheduled on Thursday was postponed, officials said, due to rapid developments in the case.
Meanwhile, the political reaction has been swift and intense.
President Trump, a long-time supporter of Mr Kirk and his group Turning Point USA, called the killing heinous.
He pledged to posthumously award Mr Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
Delivering a tribute, Mr Trump says the death has hit him hard.
"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, what fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on. I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom."
The president later told reporters he had spoken to Kirk’s widow, Erika, and described her as emotionally devastated.
Mr Trump refused to speculate on whether the shooter could be a professional assassin, saying he hopes authorities will catch him soon.
"I'd rather not say. I think progress is being made. He's an animal, total animal. And hopefully they'll have him and they'll get him. What he did is disgraceful. Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man, great in every way. Especially with youth. And what he did, what this man did was disgraceful. So hopefully we'll have him; and we will deal with him very appropriately."
Mr Kirk’s supporters described him as courageous defender of conservative values, while critics labelled him racist, sexist, and Islamophobic.
His own remarks often divided public opinion.
On race, for example, he once said:
"I'm sorry, if I see a Black pilot, I’m going to be like: boy, I hope he’s qualified."
And at another event, he had this to say about his view on gender.
Charlie Kirk: "A woman is an adult female, XX chromosomes. You tell me what is a woman?"
Audience member: "I think a woman is somebody who identifies as a woman."
Charlie Kirk: "Got it. So that's not a definition. That's like saying a table is something that identifies as a table. Give me an objective definition.
Audience member: It's not a table is an object. Well, a table can't identify as anything. It doesn't have a choice."
Charlie Kirk: So give me an objective definition of what a woman is."
On Islam, wokeism and Marxism he said:
"Spiritual battle is coming to the west, and the enemies are wokeism or Marxism, combining with Islamism to go after what we call the American way of life."
As the investigation intensifies, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The FBI says multiple leads are currently being investigated, but no suspect is in custody.
Investigators say the evidence left behind could prove crucial in bringing Charlie Kirk’s killer to justice.
