U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to escort the body of Charlie Kirk from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, Arizona, following Kirk's assassination. The FBI has released photos of a person of interest in the case, seeking public assistance in identifying a man seen wearing a black baseball cap and sunglasses.

Kirk, a 31-year-old political influencer, was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday around 12:20 p.m. MT. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An audio clip from Utah County Public Safety described the suspect as wearing all black, including a tactical helmet and mask, and carrying a long gun.

Vance, a close friend of Kirk, will accompany Kirk's wife, Erika, and other family members on Air Force Two to Phoenix. Vance shared on social media how he and Kirk connected in 2017, stating, "Charlie was fascinated by ideas and always willing to learn and change his mind. With Charlie, the attitude was never, ‘I told you so.’ But: ‘welcome.’" He described Kirk as a devoted family man who "loved God."

Reports indicate that the ammunition used in Kirk's assassination was engraved with messages related to transgender and antifascist ideologies. The FBI has recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle from a wooded area where the suspect fled. Special Agent in Charge Robert Bowles confirmed that the investigation includes analyzing the weapon, as well as a palm print and footwear impression.

The FBI has announced a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible for Kirk's murder. In a related incident, MSNBC host Matthew Dowd was let go from the network after making controversial remarks about Kirk's shooting. Dowd later clarified that he did not intend to blame Kirk for the attack and expressed his condolences to Kirk's family.

The aftermath of the shooting has been described as "horrific" by officials. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason stated that the suspect blended in well with the college environment and that authorities have good video footage of him. The suspect reportedly arrived on campus shortly before the shooting and fired from the roof of a building.

Two individuals were briefly taken into custody after the shooting but were released after it was determined they were not connected to the incident. One of the men, George Zinn, was charged with obstruction of justice but was described as harmless by authorities.

Kirk was in the midst of his "American Comeback Tour," which aimed to engage students in discussions on various issues. The event at Utah Valley University attracted around 3,000 attendees. Authorities believe the shooting was a targeted attack, with Kirk being the only victim.

In the wake of Kirk's death, there has been an outpouring of support from various political figures and celebrities. President Donald Trump called Kirk "legendary" and expressed his condolences to Kirk's family. Other leaders, including Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, condemned the violence and praised Kirk's contributions to political discourse.