JUST IN – 20 MINUTES AGO: Charlie Kirk Assassin Suspect REVEALED as Second Man Released After FBI’s Urgent Update

A second suspect has been released in the chaotic aftermath of the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel announced. Kirk, 31, was shot at 12.20pm during a rally at Utah Valley University by a gunman who was caught on camera dashing across a rooftop in the moments after he opened fire. Terrified screams erupted as the Turning Point USA founder toppled from his chair after the shots rang out. He was then rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, as an elderly man was taken into custody. Authorities have since learned that the man who was taken into custody in the immediate aftermath, 71-year-old George Zinn, was not the shooter. Another man, Zachariah Qureshi, who was taken into custody and questioned by police was also released. ‘There is no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals,’ the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety said in a joint statement

There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter,’ the agencies added.

FBI agents are now working with the local police to track down the killer, as Utah Gov. Spencer Cox suggested the murderer may face the death penalty.

Follow the Daily Mail for all the latest updates after the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Suspect has been released

The person of interest police have taken into custody following the fatal shooting has been released, FBI Director Kash Patel has said.

He had earlier announced that a suspect was in custody, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said a person of interest was being questioned.

But Patel now says the investigation into the ‘targeted’ shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University is ongoing.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reiterated at a news conference on Wednesday night that the shooting was a political assassination.

‘To whoever did this: We will find you. We will try you and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law,’ the governor warned the shooter, adding that the state still has the death penalty.’

He remembered Kirk as ‘first and foremost, a husband and a dad to two children’ and declared Wednesday was a ‘dark day for our state’ and a ‘tragic day for our nation.’

Scene footage appears to show figure on top of roof running away

Footage from Utah Valley University caught the moments after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot.

In the eerie footage, crowds could be seen ducking out of the way.

But in the distance a shadowy figure could be seen running across the roof of the Lossee Center.

A massive manhunt is now underway at the university, involving the Orem Police, Utah Valley University Police, the FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

15085851 Cops wielding assault rifles going ‘building to building’ in manhunt for Charlie Kirk assassin: Live updates
New York Times under fire for Kirk obituary

The New York Times has come under fire for saying Charlie Kirk spread ‘outright lies’ in his obituary.

‘He was so vocal in his willingness to spread unsupported claims and outright lies,’ the piece says.

‘He said that the drug Hydroxychloroquine was 100% effective in treating the virus – which it is not.’

Time Magazine declares ‘Enough’

The new cover of Time Magazine has declared ‘Enough’ over a photo from the scene of Utah Valley University.

Charlie Kirk Time Magazine
‘Deluge’ of congressmembers asking for increased security

House Speaker Mike Johnson said a ‘deluge’ of his colleagues have called for increased security following Kirk’s fatal shooting.

‘I think many of them are nervous, of course,’ he told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. ‘They’re public figures. They’re exposed all the time, everywhere.

‘We have great security measures for members of Congress, but there’s a desire on many people’s parts to have more,’ he added.

Johnson said he is now taking those requests to heart.

‘We have to take serious measures for serious times,’ he said.

Melania Trump calls for ‘compassionate awareness’

First Lady Melania Trump called for ‘compassionate awareness’ as she mourned Charlie Kirk Wednesday night.

‘Charlie’s children will be raised with stories instead of memories, photographs instead of laughter, and silence where their father’s voice should have echoed,’ she wrote on social media.

‘Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and country.’

Pastor calls for love at vigil for Kirk

Pastor Ron Williams called for ‘love’ as he spoke at a vigil for Kirk at the Utah State Capital.

He described the conservative commentator as a ‘young man that was full of passion, full of love and he loved his country and he loved his family.’

The pastor then called Kirk’s assassination an injustice, according to NBC News.

‘Let us fellow Americans realize that what happened today may not be the last time that we need to speak up, we need to stand up, we need to move forward and say no to violence and yes to love and unity and justice,’ he said.