Charlie Kirk’s shooter remains at large after Wednesday’s Utah Valley University shooting, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls and DPS Commissioner Beau Mason held a joint-press conference early Thursday morning, revealing they believe the shooter appears to be “college age” and that they’ve located a high-powered bolt action rifle in the surrounding woods.

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“Historically, on 9/11, law enforcement has come together as a group to recognize and honor those that sacrificed to preserve the ideals of this country, the freedoms of this country,” Mason shared. “Instead, we find ourselves today hunting a murderer who chose to violate our rights, the rights of an individual within this country.”

“Through all that work last night, we were able to make a few breakthroughs. We were able to track the movements of the shooter. Starting at 11:52 a.m., the subject arrived on campus, shortly away from campus. We had tracked his movements onto the campus, through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof to a shooting location,” he continued. “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 work through those communities trying to identify any leads.”

“We have recovered what we believe the weapon to be that was used in yesterday’s shooting is a high-powered bolt action rifle. That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled,” Bohls added. “The FBI laboratory will be analyzing this one. Investigators have also collected footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis.”

“We’re not releasing many details right now. We will soon, but right now we’re not. But, that individual appears to be of college age,” he further stated. “We are confident in our abilities to track that individual. If we’re unsuccessful in identifying them, immediately, we will reach out to the public’s help and the media’s help in pushing those photos. That was a new development overnight, working through the night, studying those cameras, so that’s something that’s new and that we’re working through right now.”

The officials did not provide a motive, but did ensure the public they do not think the local community is at risk since the shooting appears to have been a targeted event. They also confirmed they have “good video footage” of the suspect.

The Turning Point USA co-founder and conservative activist was shot to death on Wednesday while speaking at his American Comeback Tour stop at UVU in Orem, Utah. Kirk was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. He was 31.

While Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and FBI Director Kash Patel initially reported two different persons of interest were taken into custody in relation to the assassination, the real suspect remains at large.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel shared in a late Wednesday update.

“As soon as we heard about the shooting, special agents and personnel from the Salt Lake Field Office responded immediately,” Bohls said in his own Wednesday statement. “We have fill resources devoted to this investigation, including tactical, operational, investigative and intelligence. To be clear, the FBI will fully support and co-lead this investigation alongside out partners.”

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, was one of the first to confirm Kirk’s death. “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” he shared on Truth Social. “He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” Turning Point USA added in a statement. “We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity at this time.”

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