UTAH CITIZENS BE AWARE: MANHUNT UNDERWAY FOR ARMED SUSPECT AT LARGE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING; FBI SEEKS PUBLIC HELP

Senior Editor
19 hours ago
3 min read

(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)

Indira Hankins, Lydia Baccino, Katrina Bustillos, NORTHCOM & Extremism

Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor

September 11, 2025

Law Enforcement Operation^[1]

Current situation: Following the Charlie Kirk shooting at Utah Valley University, a manhunt is ongoing, with the FBI calling for public help in identifying a person of interest (POI).^[2] The FBI Salt Lake City found doorbell camera footage of POI, but the suspect remains at large.^[3] Special FBI agent in charge, Robert Bohls, stated they could only track the suspect’s movements until he entered a neighborhood near the campus. There is no new information about his location.^[4] The Utah Department of Public Safety denied the existence of a threat to the community, as it was a targeted event.^[5] Law enforcement retrieved a high-powered bolt-action rifle in a wooded area near the campus, following the attack.^[6] The FBI has requested public assistance and is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information to identify the individual.^[7]

If anyone has information regarding the suspect, they are encouraged to call the tip line 1-800-CALL-FBI for the FBI Salt Lake City. Any relevant data can be added to their Digital Portal for submissions: https://tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/f4507712a3b2893

Day/Time of event: September 11, 2025/ Around 1200 local time

What is the current threat:

The suspect is reportedly still armed, and there is a roughly even chance they are carrying additional weapons not used in the assassination. The lack of identity very likely challenges the FBI’s ability to track past movements and predict his next steps or location.
As the shooting was reportedly a targeted attack, the perpetrator very likely fled the city, likely on foot. There is a roughly even chance that the suspect acted alone, as someone could have helped them escape. This individual will likely try to blend in to avoid detection, as surrounding neighborhood inhabitants are very likely on high alert after the FBI call.
The event will likely cause fear-mongering amongst citizens due to misinformation in the initial reporting stages of the suspect being in custody, and later correcting this statement. Lack of public information and the quick spread of fake news will likely allow a space for conspiracy theorists to perpetuate misinformation posts.
Previous misinformation posts have likely not been corrected, allowing for further spread of false information. This will likely increase harassment of former persons of interest and anyone deemed relevant to the case. There is a roughly even chance that threat actors use the digital tip line to provide false and misleading information to disrupt the investigational efforts.
Lone threat actors, inspired by the ongoing public attention, will likely target local and political actors, very likely increasing the threat of harassment, intimidation, or direct attacks that could disrupt law enforcement coordination and public messaging.

Who will it directly impact:

Utah residents
Local law enforcement
FBI
Federal agencies' personnel
Right-wing political figures in Utah
Prominent figures who have openly criticized Kirk and his beliefs
Conspiracy theorists

[1] FBI, generated by a third party database

[2] @FBISaltLakeCity, X, September 11, 2025, https://x.com/FBISaltLakeCity/status/1966169520403525760

[3] @FBISaltLakeCity, X, September 11, 2025, https://x.com/FBISaltLakeCity/status/1966161980684906919

[4] Ibid

[5] UPDATES ON CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING AT UVU, Utah Department of Public Safety, September 2025, https://dps.utah.gov/press-releases/updates-on-charlie-kirk-shooting-at-uvu/

[6] Reward of Up to $100,000 for Information Leading to the Identification, Arrest of Individual(s) in Murder of Charlie Kirk, Federal Bureau of Investigations, September 2025,

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/saltlakecity/news/reward-of-up-to-100000-for-information-leading-to-the-identification-arrest-of-individuals-in-murder-of-charlie-kirk

[7] Ibid