Federal and local investigators continue a manhunt after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, and a retired FBI profiler told Fox News Digital the suspected shooter likely was an isolated, unsophisticated individual who left clues before the attack and had no clear plan for fleeing the scene.
James Clemente, a retired FBI supervisory special agent and co‑host of the podcast Real Crime Profile, said in a Thursday interview that high‑profile attackers who are not experienced operatives often reveal their intentions to acquaintances or through social media as they build toward a violent act. Clemente said the person who shot Kirk likely has “a very poor self image” and was attempting to make “a very big public statement.”
Investigators have said the suspect appears to be college‑age and was wearing all black and carrying a long rifle when he arrived on campus shortly before the shooting. Utah Department of Public Safety Director Beau Mason told reporters the individual arrived on campus at 11:52 a.m., moved through stairwells to a roof, across the roof to the shooting location, then fled by jumping off the building and into a nearby neighborhood.
Authorities said they recovered a "high‑powered, bolt‑action rifle" near the scene after tracing what they describe as the suspect’s escape route. Police dispatch audio released during the early stages of the probe captured officers searching for a person wearing tactical gear and carrying a long gun near the university library.
The FBI released two photos Thursday as part of the search for a new person of interest and is offering up to $100,000 for information leading to identification and arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel traveled to Utah on Thursday to coordinate the agency’s response, officials said.
Clemente told Fox News Digital that the suspected shooter likely had not committed a similar act before and therefore might have “leaked out information beforehand,” by telling friends or colleagues or posting hints online. He said such attackers often do not form a detailed post‑offense plan, which he argued helps explain why a weapon was recovered near the scene rather than taken by the shooter.
"He had no idea what was going to happen afterwards, what was going to happen during, whether he was going to get away with it or not," Clemente said. He added that people who know the attacker may have seen odd or evasive behavior in the hours or days after the shooting, such as sudden absences from work or school.
Investigators said they are reviewing hundreds of videos from attendees and bystanders and are using camera footage from around the campus to track the suspect’s movements. Clemente said the availability of extensive video and other technology should aid identification efforts.
Law enforcement continued searching taped‑off areas in the Orem, Utah, neighborhood near the university on Thursday as they combed for evidence related to the crime. The search and the public release of images reflect investigators’ efforts to corroborate surveillance and witness accounts and to trace the suspect’s ingress and egress from the campus.
Kirk, 31, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA and a prominent voice for faith and family‑oriented conservative activism on college campuses, was shot Wednesday afternoon while attending an event at the university as part of his "American Comeback Tour." He is survived by his wife, Erika, and two children, ages one and three. Fox News reported that Kirk’s casket will be transported to Arizona on Air Force Two.
Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the FBI. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies said they are analyzing all available evidence, including social media, witness statements and video, as they work to identify and apprehend the suspect. Clemente emphasized investigators were pursuing "everything," saying modern investigative tools and crowd‑sourced video can be decisive in identifying actors involved in public‑space attacks.
Officials have not publicly identified a suspect or announced any arrests in the case. The investigation remains active, and law enforcement agencies cautioned that details may change as they corroborate evidence and interview witnesses.