FBI Director Kash Patel said the “investigation continues” in the search for the shooter.
Key Facts
The FBI put out a statement on social media, urging people with “information, photos, and video from the incident” to come forward and share these materials on the agency’s tip line.
Several people gathered for a vigil outside the Timpanogos Regional Hospital, the hospital where Kirk was taken after the shooting, and placed American flags, lit candles and flowers in front of the hospital sign.
MSNBC fired political analyst Matthew Dowd after his comments on Kirk’s assassination, where he described the conservative activist as “one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups.”
While appearing on CNN on Wednesday night, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., addressed the heated exchanges that took place on the House floor following a moment of silence for Kirk, noting: “The emotion was very high in the room.And that started a debate and people felt like it was being politicized.”
The Associated Press reported just after 9 p.m. EDT, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, that authorities were searching for a new person of interest, while The New York Times also reported no one remained in custody.
Patel, who said a “subject for the horrific shooting” was in custody as of 6:21 p.m. EDT, provided an update in a 7:59 p.m. EDT tweet saying the person “has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement.”
According to the New York Times, this individual was the second person detained and later released by law enforcement authorities after questioning.
The Reagan Foundation on Wednesday night announced on its website that it was postponing a planned interaction and book signing with Ben Shapiro, noting “Our prayers are with Charlie Kirk’s family and friends. As a mark of respect, we are cancelling our program and book signing.”
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had earlier said at a press conference that “We have a person of interest in custody,” after Patel had said a “subject” was taken into custody.
Cox said authorities could not provide any further details about the person of interest.
“The only information we have on the possible shooter is taken from closed-circuit TV here on campus,” Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason later added.
Utah Valley University issued an “ALL-CLEAR” alert for its campus Wednesday night, noting there is no ongoing threat on campus, which will remain closed until Monday.
“It is security camera footage, so you can guess what the quality of that is, Mason noted, saying the suspected shooter was “dressed in all dark clothing, but we don’t have much better description other than that.”
Cox said he does not believe there is another person involved in the shooting.
