Suspect Jumped off the Roof After Charlie Kirk's Shooting – Video

The chilling moment America watched the suspected killer vanish into the shadows comes after the release of footage showing the suspect perched on a rooftop, moments before and after the assassination.

In a shocking twist to an already harrowing assassination, officials have released new footage showing the man believed to have gunned down conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The suspect has now been caught on video making his calculated getaway in scenes that resemble a Hollywood thriller.

The footage surfaced earlier today, September 12, 2025, just over a day after the tragedy. Disturbing media shows the alleged gunman scrambling from a rooftop, as investigators simultaneously confirmed the discovery of the very weapon thought to have ended Kirk's life.

Caught on Camera: The Suspect's Daring Rooftop Escape

The latest clip offers a bone-chilling glimpse into the suspect's brazen flight. Captured by a CCTV camera, the grainy footage begins with a figure darting across the rooftop of a school building.

He pauses only briefly at the far-right edge — crouching low like a predator — before making a dramatic leap off the side.

From there, the video shows him landing on the ground heavily but swiftly regaining his stride. The suspect then bolts across a grassy lawn, dashes toward a neighboring parking lot, and vanishes into a dark wooded area beyond. Every frame of the footage paints a picture of ruthless determination as the manhunt now intensifies.

According to CNN, investigators have since noted palm imprints, faint smudges possibly containing DNA, and even a distinct shoeprint on the rooftop — crucial evidence that points to the suspect wearing Converse-style sneakers at the time of the shooting.

Weapon of Death Uncovered near the Escape Route

The timing of the video's release could not be more chilling — it comes alongside news of a critical breakthrough in the investigation. Law enforcement has confirmed the recovery of a rifle believed to be the murder weapon, found in the same wooded area behind Utah Valley University's campus where the suspect disappeared.

According to a senior law enforcement official, the firearm is a Mauser bolt-action rifle chambered in .30-06 caliber — a model infamous for its precision and long-range lethality.

Mounted with a long-distance scope, the rifle was discovered with a single expended shell casing still lodged inside the bolt mechanism, a stark reminder of its deadly purpose.

This grim find represents a pivotal turning point in what is rapidly becoming one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in recent memory. However, the case relies on far more than ballistic evidence alone — the puzzle is being pieced together from footage and chillingly meticulous forensic work.

Frame by Frame: Piecing Together a Haunting Timeline

The new rooftop escape footage adds to the eerie collection of clips already in the investigators' possession. Earlier recordings placed the same shadowy figure perched ominously on the roof moments before the gunfire rang out — and again in the immediate aftermath of Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting, which occurred on September 10.

Now, each frame of this haunting timeline is under microscopic review as investigators work around the clock to unmask the man who turned a rooftop into a sniper's nest.

Shot in the Neck as Terrified Crowd Screamed

Kirk was gunned down while addressing a crowd of thousands under a white tent on the university grounds. Just as he was responding to an audience member's question, a single shot cracked through the air, striking him in the neck.

As soon as the shot rang out in the air, horrified attendees screamed and ducked for cover. Within moments, Kirk collapsed and was later pronounced dead.

What the Footage Shows

According to eyewitness videos and photos, the shooter appeared to be positioned on the roof of the Losee Center — a campus building across from the tent where Kirk was speaking. From this vantage point, the gunman had a direct line of sight to the stage.

One clip circulating online appears to capture a shadowy figure crouched on the rooftop just before the fatal shot was fired. In another, taken moments later, a dark silhouette can be seen dashing across the same rooftop — believed to be the suspect fleeing the scene.

FBI Says Initial Suspect Released, Investigation Still Ongoing

Authorities have already launched an investigation into the shooting of the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). Shortly after Kirk's tragic death, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said on X that the person initially detained in connection with the shooting had been questioned and released.

He also emphasized that the inquiry remains active and promised to provide continued updates in the interest of transparency.

With no suspect in custody, a wider manhunt began — but an expert warned it would be difficult. CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said the attacker likely planned to move silently, remain unseen, fire a single shot, complete the mission, take the weapon, and leave little evidence behind.

The TV network's analyst also noted that the precision of the single shot suggested the attacker had prior firearms experience.

"This is someone who knew exactly what they were doing and is probably known to others, and this may be working to the advantage of law enforcement. As someone who has a long history in shooting, this wasn't an amateur," he explained.

Witness Recalls Moment Gunfire Shattered the Air

Now, after the tragic incident that led to Kirk's death, witnesses have come forward to share what they saw unfold at Utah Valley University.

One attendee, Skyler Baird, revealed, "I was only maybe 15 feet, not even 15 feet away from him. And I heard the pop, and I said in my mind, 'That was a gunshot.'"

Baird said his immediate thought was survival, but he quickly turned to help others escape the packed event, which drew roughly 3,000 people. As the crowd scattered, the reality of the tragedy set in. "I pretty much knew immediately that he wasn't going to make it," he admitted.

Although Kirk was heavily guarded while on stage, Baird noted that security measures were minimal for attendees entering the venue.

He explained that while the political commentator was protected from someone rushing to the stage or attempting a physical attack, the general area had the usual campus-level security, leaving the crowd largely unmonitored as they arrived.

A Father, a Voice for Dialogue, and Now a Victim of Violence

Baird, who had followed Kirk's career for years, said the brutal killing left him shaken and filled with empathy, especially for Kirk's family.

He expressed disbelief that someone so committed to fostering dialogue could become the target of such cold-blooded violence.

Baird also warned that this tragedy reflects a growing divide in America, one that's becoming too dangerous to ignore. He called for reason and logic to guide interactions rather than emotion.

"As you have friends and loved ones that you've cut ties with, don't cut ties with them. Call them back. Let them know you love them. Let them know that it's okay that you have differing opinions," Baird pleaded. The witness also offered a final, somber warning, saying that when conversations stop, atrocities like Kirk's shooting become all the more likely.

Eyewitness Believed Gunshot Was Part of the Show

Other eyewitnesses have also given their accounts, underscoring their sense of shock. Jeremy King, 45, who stood about 15 feet from Kirk, said he was initially confused at the time, believing the gunshot might have been "part of an act or performance" tied to the discussion about gun rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

King's confusion turned to panic as Kirk collapsed. "Everyone around me dropped to the ground. I immediately stood over my wife. You don't know if this is a single shot or if it's going to turn into a mass shooting. And so you're scanning," he recalled.

He later saw Kirk's bodyguards react swiftly, adding, "At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up."

National Leaders Mourn Charlie Kirk's Death

As the reality of Kirk's death set in, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. In an address, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a national tragedy.

"I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror," he said. He also described Kirk as a "martyr" and the incident a "dark moment" in American history.

Meanwhile, the country's Vice President JD Vance mourned Kirk's death and echoed Trump's message by reposting it on X, amplifying the president's praise of Kirk as a "legendary" figure who deeply influenced young Americans.

Trump's post also included condolences to Kirk's wife and their family. Vance followed with a brief prayer for Kirk's peaceful eternal rest.

Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a formal proclamation ordering that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through September 14. The order applies to the White House, federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies worldwide.