Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on Tuesday while speaking at a debate at Utah Valley University. Law enforcement officials described the attack as a targeted assassination, with the assailant firing a single round from a rooftop.

Initial reports from NBC News, citing five senior law enforcement sources, identified 21-year-old Tyler Robinson from Utah as a suspect who had been arrested. US President Donald Trump further confirmed an arrest to Fox News, stating that investigators acted “with a high degree of certainty” in taking Robinson into custody and praising the joint efforts of local police and state officials.

However, these claims were later contradicted by law enforcement agencies. Former US President Donald Trump stated on Fox & Friends that a suspect was in custody, but authorities did not confirm any detention. The Associated Press reported that two individuals were briefly questioned but subsequently released, clarifying that no suspect was in custody despite Trump’s remarks.

Amidst the ongoing investigation, the FBI and local police released new video footage and still photographs of a person of interest in the fatal shooting, appealing to the public for assistance. Investigators have since received more than 7,000 tips and conducted over 200 interviews. A high-powered, bolt-action rifle, believed to have been used in the attack, has been recovered, alongside footwear marks and palm and forearm impressions.

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the killing as a “political assassination” and pledged that the state would pursue the death penalty if a suspect is brought to trial. While the motive for the killing remains unclear, some unverified reports suggested inscriptions on ammunition might have referenced transgender and anti-fascist ideology, although law enforcement has not confirmed these details.

In the aftermath of the shooting, thousands gathered at a vigil in Utah to honor Kirk, a prominent conservative voice. Political leaders across the spectrum also condemned the act. The case remains under active investigation, with officials continuing to urge the public to provide any information that could lead to the identification and capture of the shooter.