Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has announced plans to pursue the death penalty in the case of Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator who was tragically shot and killed during a public event at Utah Valley University. The governor made this statement during a press conference held late Thursday, where he also urged the public to assist in the ongoing manhunt for the suspect, which has already lasted over 24 hours.
The press conference was initially set for earlier in the day but was postponed due to significant developments in the investigation. When it finally began, officials shared footage showing the suspect fleeing the scene after the shooting, which took place on Wednesday. The video depicted the individual climbing down from a rooftop before jumping to the ground.
Authorities are asking the public to help identify the suspect by looking for distinctive clothing items he wore. They have already conducted more than 200 interviews and received an overwhelming response from the community, with thousands of tips pouring in—more than they had seen since the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.
The FBI has offered a reward of $100,000 for information leading to the arrest of the shooter. Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted attack, with the assailant firing from a rooftop into the crowd below. Photos of a person of interest have been released, showing a man in an American flag t-shirt, sunglasses, and a hat, who investigators think blended in with the college crowd.
The Utah Department of Public Safety has emphasized the importance of gathering digital tips and videos from anyone who may have footage from the event. They assured the public that all available resources are being used to capture the person responsible for this tragic act.
As the investigation continues, Governor Cox reiterated his commitment to ensuring that justice is served for Charlie Kirk and his family. The manhunt is ongoing, and officials remain hopeful that they will soon find the individual responsible for this shocking crime.
