Charlie Kirk Shooting Investigation: Forensic Evidence Emerges And New Video Shows Suspect's Escape

OREM, UT — Utah officials say they're analyzing new forensic evidence in connection with the slaying of conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as the manhunt into the shooter continued into Thursday night.

Investigators are still working to identify and locate the gunman. The Utah Department of Public Safety released new digitally enhanced photos of the suspect Thursday afternoon, asking the public to examine identifying features such as his black shirt with an eagle in front of an American flag, Converse shoes, a black backpack, and his hat.

At the core of the investigation is also a new video shown by authorities during a press briefing Thursday that appears to show the suspect running across the rooftop where he is believed to have fired the fatal shot Wednesday. The video shows the suspect jumping from the building before running into the nearby woods. Police tracked his movements from surveillance footage and found a rifle believed to be the murder weapon left in the woods.

Utah Department of Public Safety Beau Mason said during the briefing that he hopes the new images and the video will lead to more tips from the public.

Mason also said that law enforcement from around the country are working to analyze forensic evidence, including palm impressions, smudges and a shoe imprint believed to have been left behind by the suspect, who blended in with the college-age crowd.

SEE ALSO: FBI Releases Photos Of 'Person Of Interest' In Shooting Of Charlie Kirk

So far, law enforcement has received more than 7,000 leads and tips in connection with the shooting — the most, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said, since the Boston Marathon Bombing. Authorities have also conducted more than 200 interviews related to what he described as a "horrific crime," Cox said.

"We cannot do our job without the public's help right now," Cox said. "We need as much help as we can possibly get."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently offering a $100,000 reward for any information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect responsible for the deadly shooting.

Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University Wednesday. He had been speaking with students at the college campus in a segment he was known for where he'd ask people to prove him wrong about his political takes.

Video of the shooting, which has circulated around social media, show him being struck in the neck and slumping onto the ground.

A person of interest was detained soon after the shooting but was later released, according to authorities. Law enforcement have now turned their attention toward the suspect in the newly released images.

The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum, the Associated Press reported. Recent attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish, in April. Trump himself was shot during a campaign rally last year.

Gov. Cox shared concerns about details being posted on social media, saying Russian and Chinese bots were trying to spread misinformation and instill violence in the United States.

“I think Charlie said it best, when things get bad we should put our phones down and spend time with our families," Cox said. "We desperately need some healing."

The Utah governor also said that state attorneys are working to pursue the death penalty against the suspect.

"We are going to catch this person," Cox said. "This is not just a local matter here in Utah, we have people all over the country that helping bring this perpetrator to justice for Charlie Kirk and his family."

Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika Frantzve, and two young children.

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• Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead In Utah
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Breaking News Editor Anna Schier contributed to this report.