FBI, Utah authorities continue manhunt after fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

The Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI are leading the investigation alongside the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, and local police departments.

The agencies urged the public to share any information, photos, or videos that could help identify a suspect.

Two people taken into custody earlier were released after questioning and have “no current ties” to the shooting, officials said.

The killing -- another in a series of recent acts of US political violence -- made headlines across news outlets.

CNN described the shooting as “a national tragedy in a polarized America,” calling the killing “a tragedy for all Americans, even those who disdained the charismatic clarion of young MAGA conservatives.”

The network said the bullet that killed Kirk was also “a chilling assault on free speech and democracy -- the only bulwarks against a quickening descent into self-perpetuating political violence.”

Kirk, 30, was fatally shot Wednesday afternoon while addressing a crowd of thousands at the university’s outdoor quad in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. Security at the event included six university police officers and Kirk’s private security team.

Videos posted online showed the apparent moment a bullet struck Kirk as he spoke from under a canopy, sending students fleeing in panic. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead hours later.

Calling Kirk “legendary,” US President Donald Trump ordered US flags nationwide lowered to half-staff to honor him.