Newly-released photos of the person of interest in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk have provided a clearer picture of the most wanted man in America.
The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Salt Lake City branch of the FBI released four more security camera images of the man on Thursday. The mystery sniper killed Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He is seen on a stairwell in the new pictures.
Police previously said they tracked the suspect’s movements through the campus to the stairwell used to access the roof where Kirk was fired at.
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In the new photos, his backpack is more visible than the previously released images, while one picture of him going downstairs captures more of his face, which was hidden by a cap with a triangle logo printed on it and dark glasses.
Social media users were quick to point out what looks like a cellphone in the pocket of his jeans.
He is wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with an American flag and Converse footwear. Reporting by The Guardian suggests the shirt may have come from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation.
The charity confirmed their shirt depicts an eagle over the American flag, with the phrases from the national anthem “Land of the Free” and “Home of the Brave” printed on it. The shirt was never for sale and is currently out of distribution, but was gifted to potential supporters of the charity “over the past few years.”
The Daily Beast has contacted the FBI for more information.
Video footage from the crime scene shared at a press release later Thursday showed the person of interest lowering himself off a roof at the university, before walking through the car park and crossing the road. The FBI revealed they have obtained hand and foot prints from person of interest, and are looking to collect DNA evidence.
The FBI said the shooter escaped from the scene through a wooded area where they later found a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle.”
In different video seen by TMZ, an individual that resembles the same person of interest is seen walking down a residential street in Orem, Utah at 11:49AM, just a few blocks away from the university campus. He also appears to be hobbling. The FBI said the individual arrived at the campus at 11:52AM.
The new footage follows the FBI’s $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect as the manhunt enters a second day.
Police have requested anyone with photos or video from the crime scene, or any other information, to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said they have received over 7000 leads and tips about the assassination, noting “the FBI hasn’t received this many digital media tips from the public since the Boston Marathon bombing.”
Governor Cox has also confirmed they will “pursue the death penalty” for the unidentified person of interest.
The new images come as President Trump defended the FBI’s handling of the hunt for 31-year-old Kirk’s killer.
FBI Director Kash Patel initially announced on Wednesday evening that a “subject for the horrific shooting” had been taken into custody.
90 minutes later, Patel said the subject had been released following interrogation, noting, “Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”
Trump insisted the FBI was “making big progress” tracking down the killer, who he said was “an animal, a total animal.” He told reporters on Thursday he had an “indication” of the motivation behind the murder, but teased “I will tell you about that later.”
The president added, “What he did is disgraceful. Charlie Kirk was a great person, a great man, great in every way, especially with youth. And what this man did was disgraceful. So hopefully we’ll have him - and we will deal with him very appropriately.”
Patel was present at Thursday’s press conference, but did not speak or take any questions from media.
