SALT LAKE CITY – In a rapidly unfolding story, the nation is grappling with the political shock of a presidential honor and the urgent manhunt for the killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down on a Utah campus yesterday.
Trump’s Stunning Announcement
Speaking at a 9/11 memorial event, former President Donald Trump made a dramatic announcement that has sent waves through the political world.
“We have lost a true patriot, a powerful voice for freedom, and a wonderful young man,” Trump stated. “That’s why I am announcing that I will be awarding Charlie Kirk, posthumously, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
Trump added that the date of the ceremony is yet to be announced but predicted, “There will be a very big crowd. A tremendous crowd, for a great American.”
The announcement immediately elevates the shooting into a potent national political moment.
FBI: Weapon Found, Suspect Still at Large
Meanwhile, in Utah, the investigation into Kirk’s killing is intensifying. The FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety held a press conference revealing critical, yet frustrating, new details. While progress has been made, the shooter remains free.
Authorities confirmed they have recovered the murder weapon: a high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to be used in the shooting. Despite this crucial find, the key breakthrough—an arrest—remains elusive.
The suspect is described as a male who “appears to be of college-age” and who “blended well into the campus environment,” making his escape easier. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls revealed investigators have “good video and images of the suspect” but are withholding them from the public for now, citing the ongoing investigation.
“We are exhausting every resource to find the shooter,” Bohls said. “We’re not sure how far he has gone yet.”
Plea to the Public and a Family’s Grief
Authorities also revealed the investigation has had “a few breakthroughs,” including the ability to track the shooter’s movements as he fled into a neighborhood adjacent to the campus.
The press conference also struck a somber tone. Officials described Kirk’s family as “devastated,” with one official stating, “I can only imagine what they’re going through.”
In a poignant plea, authorities also addressed the harassment faced by two individuals who were initially detained and later cleared of any involvement.
“They have faced threats, and they don’t deserve that harassment,” an official stated, urging the public to allow law enforcement to conduct its work.
The manhunt continues tonight, with a nation watching, a family mourning, and a political firestorm ignited.
