Trump ally Charlie Kirk killed in Utah, FBI hunts for shooter

The sniper who assassinated Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, is believed to have jumped off a roof and fled into a neighbourhood after firing one shot and has not been identified, authorities said on Thursday in disclosing they have recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle they believe was used in the attack and are reviewing video footage of the person they believe was responsible.

- Agencies

The shooter appeared to be of college age and blended in on the university campus where Kirk was killed on Wednesday, said Beau Mason, the commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety. It remained unclear how far the shooter has travelled, though law enforcement officials say nearby woods where the rifle was found have been secured.

Targeted killing

Even as law enforcement officials revealed new details about an attack they called targeted, much remained unclear nearly 24 hours|ater, including the sniper’s identity, motive and whereabouts. Two people detained on Wednesday were released after neither was determined to be connected to the shooting, but by Thursday officials expressed confidence they had tracked the shooter's movements on campus in the run-up to it.