Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason said during a recent interview that officials have “no idea” where Charlie Kirk’s assassin is, after the conservative activist was shot and killed in Utah earlier this week.
“I know you can’t say too much here but is it your understanding that this individual may be close by or still in Utah?” an NBC News reporter asked Mason Thursday night.
He responded, “We have no idea. We’re exploring leads for individuals out of state and individuals that live close by.”
“We literally have persons of interest, tips coming in on the tip line that are spanning far, far and wide,” the officer added.
The manhunt for Kirk’s assassin entered its third day on Friday, with officials releasing new still photos of the person of interest, along with the video of a potential suspect fleeing the scene after the shooting.
The footage showed the person of interest running across the roof of a building at Utah Valley University, going down the side of the building, going through the parking lot and toward a busy street.
President Trump, during an interview with Fox & Friends on Friday morning, signaled that the suspect may already be in custody.
“I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody,” Trump said.
During a Thursday press conference, Mason told reporters that the alleged assassin “left some palm impressions” as he came down the side of the building.
“There’s some smudges in some places we’re looking to collect DNA. There’s a shoe imprint where we believe the suspect is clearly identified as wearing Converse tennis shoes,” he said.
The FBI also said Thursday that the agency recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle in the wooded area.
Investigators are analyzing imprints of a forearm, palm and a shoe of the person of interest.
“We cannot do our job without the public’s help,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) told reporters at the press conference. Cox said that officials will pursue the death penalty once Kirk’s assassin is caught.
Law enforcement said it has received over 7,000 tips. They have yet to name the suspect or cite the motive in the murder of Kirk.
Two people were previously taken into custody, but both were released as they were not connected to the shooting of Kirk.
Officials are expected to provide an update on the investigation later Friday morning.
