Charlie Kirk assassination live: ‘Rapid developments’ in manhunt for suspected assassin, FBI releases photos

A hearse carrying the casket of Charlie Kirk was seen arriving at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Utah on Thursday afternoon, as Vice President JD Vance prepared to transport the body back to Arizona aboard Air Force Two.

The sombre scene unfolded just a day after Kirk’s assassination, which has shocked the world.

Mr Vance had originally been scheduled to travel to New York City to attend a 9/11 memorial service at Ground Zero. However, he changed his plans in the wake of Kirk’s killing, opting instead to travel to Utah to oversee arrangements personally.

According to the White House, Kirk’s casket will be flown to his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two when Vance departs later in the day.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the shooting of right-wing commentator and Trump ally Charlie Kirk, calling the incident “horrific” and expressing sympathy for the American people.

Speaking in Cairns after attending the Pacific Islands Forum, Mr Albanese said “there is no place for violence.”

“I think the world is shocked by such an event, and my heart goes out to Mr Kirk’s family and to all those who’ll be grieving today in the United States.”

The PM stressed that violence must never be allowed to replace democratic processes.

“Political violence has no role,” he said.

“On the third of May, we had a democratic election. People went along and voted and had their political say through the ballot box. That’s the way issues should be dealt with — in the lead-up, through civil discourse, agreeing to disagree respectfully.”

Police will monitor a vigil for assassinated American MAGA figure Charlie Kirk in Sydney on Friday.

An offshoot of his organisation, Turning Point USA, Turning Point Australia, has organised a vigil for the commentator in Sydney’s Hyde Park.

“Violence is never the answer to political disagreement and diminishes the very principles that democracy is built on,” Turning Point Australia director Joel Jammal said online.

The vigil will start at 6pm in Hyde Park, Sydney, near the north fountain with all “welcome to attend and pay their respects to the memory of Charlie Kirk”.

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US President Donald Trump has revealed he had a “long talk” with Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“We had a long talk, and she’s devastated — absolutely devastated, as you can imagine,” Mr Trump said.

Kirk, 31, married Erika in 2021. The couple had two young children — a daughter and a son.

Mr Trump did not hold back in his description of the suspect, calling the shooter “an animal, a total animal.”

“Hopefully they’ll have him... what he did is disgracful,” he added.

Mr Trump revealed he plans to attend Kirk’s funeral and said he believes it will take place next weekend.

Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for New York, US President Donald Trump said the FBI is “making big progress” in its investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

When asked whether authorities have determined a motive behind the shooting, Mr Trump responded: “I have an indication, yeah, but we’ll let you know about that later.”

Mr Trump also addressed concerns about his own safety in the aftermath of the killing.

“Not really,” he said.

“I’m really concerned for our country. We have a great country. We have a radical left group of lunatics out there, just absolute lunatics, and we’re going to get that problem solved. I’m only concerned for the country.”

US law enforcement officials believe they have identified a person of interest in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, according to CBS News.

Two US officials and a law enforcement source told the outlet that investigators have determined the identity of the individual seen in surveillance images released earlier today. However, the name has not yet been made public.

The development comes as investigators continue to sift through over 130 tips submitted by the public in the wake of the high-profile killing.

Authorities have not said when or if the name will be officially released, but the investigation appears to be gaining momentum.

Less than an hour ahead of a planned press confeence, the Utah Department of Public Safety scrapped the event, due to “rapid developments” in their investigation.

Law enforcement said an updated time would be released later on Thursday (local time).

Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel is travelling to Orem, Utah, NBC News reports.

Mr Patel is expected to hold a joint press conference with the Utah Department of Public Safety when he arrives.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (local time) he would posthumously award Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a later date.

The United States’ highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is awarded by presidents to people who have made significant contributions in a variety of areas, including culture and public service.

As the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin intensifies, police recovered the weapon they believe was used in the attack.

A high-powered bolt-action rifle was located in a wooded area nearby Utah Valley University campus on Thursday (local time).

FBI and state officials said the killer arrived on the campus a few minutes before the event began, a talk by Kirk titled “Prove Me Wrong” outdoors in front of about 3000 people.

The shooter may have engraved messages related to transgender and anti-fascist ideology on their ammunition, the Wall Street Journal reported, but people familiar with the investigation told Reuters they were still being analysed and it was too soon to draw conclusions.

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The FBI has released images of a person of interest in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent MAGA campaigner and right-wing commentator.

The suspected assassin was described as “college aged” by authorities and is pictured wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt that appears to have an American flag on the front, black sunglasses and a cap.

The FBI is offering a $US100,000 ($150,000) reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooter.