Investigators intensify their search for Charlie Kirk’s shooter, releasing new images and offering a $100,000 reward.
PHOENIX — Conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s legacy as a leader for young Republicans and college students is being remembered this week as the FBI continues its urgent search for the man who fatally shot him during a speech at Utah Valley University.
Investigators released new images and video Thursday of a person of interest they believe fled into a nearby neighborhood after firing a high-powered bolt-action rifle at Kirk. The weapon was later found in a wooded area, along with a palm print and shoe impression now being analyzed in a federal lab. A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, calling the suspect “an animal” and urging law enforcement to find him quickly. “Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man,” Trump said.
We’ve heard strong condemnations of Kirk’s killing from Democrats as well as Republicans, underscoring the widespread outrage over the violence.
Kirk’s casket arrived in Phoenix on Thursday aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance and members of Kirk’s family. A motorcade brought his remains to a local funeral home. Trump said the funeral is expected to take place in Arizona, possibly next weekend.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, built the organization into a national force with chapters on more than 3,500 high school and college campuses. He frequently visited universities to speak on free markets and limited government, becoming a prominent voice for conservative youth.
“Unfortunately that’s what it ended up being, his last straw was freedom of speech,” said Ramsey Dominy, a Texas A&M student from Kirbyville who met Kirk earlier this year. She said Kirk inspired her to pursue politics and journalism. “He’s the reason I got into what I’m doing. He’s always been a role model.”
Dominy said Kirk gave her courage to defend her beliefs. “I was always scared that I would get shut down, that doors would close … and then he really showed me that regardless of what your beliefs are, if you work hard enough you can achieve things.”
For some, Kirk’s death has underscored the risks of political advocacy. “Understand that what you’re fighting for, unfortunately it might cost you your life,” Dominy said. “But I guess it depends how much you want to see change.”
Vanessa Broussard, a news anchor with LindellTV, had covered Kirk’s events and was preparing to work with him on his Student Action Summit. “He just went around to college campuses and he was fun, he was energetic, he always had a smile,” Broussard said. “Even if someone came up to the microphone and disagreed with him, he had fun with them.”
Now, she says she’s determined to continue his work. “Here we are… and there’s no Charlie,” Broussard said. “I told some of his staff I’m ready more than I was two weeks ago to continue the work that Charlie did.”
Kirk’s influence continues to ripple across campuses nationwide, including in Beaumont, where a Turning Point USA chapter is scheduled to meet later this month.
As the investigation presses forward, Kirk is being remembered not only as a political firebrand but as a mentor who gave young conservatives a sense of purpose, a role model whose work, many say, is far from over.