Utah governor announces state will seek death penalty for Charlie Kirk assassin

Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday night told reporters that the state will be seeking the death penalty for the person responsible for fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. 

Kirk died in the hospital on Wednesday after being shot in the neck at an event at Utah Valley University. He was just 31-years-old at the time, and leaves behind a wife and two children.

Cox provided an update on the investigation into the shooting, stating that federal and local law enforcement officers had conducted over 200 interviews related to the assassination, and they have received over 7,000 tips.

“More than anything, we are going to catch this person,” Cox said. “We've been working with our attorneys, getting everything that we need affidavits ready. So that we can pursue the death penalty in this case. And that will happen here in the state of Utah.”

Cox also warned the public to be aware of disinformation being shared on social media, including by bad actors from foreign countries who are hoping to stoke violence.

"I think Charlie said it best that when things get bad, we should put our phones down and spend a little time with our families," Cox said. "There is a tremendous amount of disinformation that we are tracking."

FBI Director Kash Patel was also at the press briefing but did not comment on the investigation.

Federal and local Utah authorities have not publicly named a suspect so far but released a video of the alleged shooter, along with still images of the man. The video shows the suspect running across the roof of a building on the Utah Valley University campus after allegedly shooting Kirk and jumping onto the ground.

Law enforcement officials were able to trace the suspect to a wooded area, where he abandoned a gun and ammunition.

The suspect is seen in the footage and images wearing a shirt with an American flag and eagle. He was also wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses in the stills.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person, or people responsible for Kirk's murder. Anyone with information are encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.