photo was taken just seconds before Charile Kirk was shot by an assassin’s bullet

Federal investigators are intensifying their search for the gunman who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a campus event in Utah, describing the killing as a targeted attack that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.

Kirk, 31, was addressing thousands of students at Utah Valley University in Orem on Tuesday evening when a single rifle shot struck him in the neck. Authorities say the bullet was fired from a rooftop some 200 yards away. The founder of Turning Point USA was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FBI and local police believe the suspect is of college age. Video surveillance reportedly captured the individual arriving on campus, moving through stairwells to the roof, and fleeing afterward into a nearby neighborhood. Officials have not released the footage publicly, but described it as “good, clear video.”

A high-powered, bolt-action rifle was later recovered in a wooded area near the campus. Forensic teams are analyzing a footwear impression, a palm print, and a forearm imprint linked to the weapon. Two people briefly questioned after the shooting have since been released without charge.

“This was not a random act,” an FBI spokesperson said. “We are pursuing every lead to identify and apprehend the suspect.”

The assassination has provoked bipartisan outrage and revived concerns over political violence in the United States. President Donald Trump, who counted Kirk among his closest allies, called the shooting “an attack on free speech and on America itself.” He announced that Kirk would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

President Trump’s truth post after confirming kirk’s demise

Kirk first rose to prominence in 2012 when, at just 18, he founded Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization that quickly grew into a major force on college campuses nationwide. Known for his combative style and close ties to Trump and his family, he became a frequent presence on conservative media and at Republican rallies. His “American Comeback Tour” had been drawing large crowds ahead of the November elections.

Security experts warn the killing could further inflame an already polarized political climate. “This is the most significant political assassination on U.S. soil in decades,” said one analyst. “It underscores the vulnerability of high-profile figures in an era of heightened extremism.”

Chilling clips show Charlie Kirk assassin on rooftop moments before and after fatal shooting at UVU

As vigils were held in Utah and across conservative circles nationwide, law enforcement urged patience. “We will find the person responsible,” Orem Police Chief Mike Reynolds said. “Justice will be served.”

For now, the shooter remains at large.