FBI Under Pressure After Missteps and Leadership Shake-Up in Charlie Kirk's Killer Manhunt

The FBI is facing mounting pressure over its handling of the investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after releasing two wrongly detained suspects and confirming that the bureau's top official in the region was fired just days before the attack.

On Thursday morning, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls revealed new details about the ongoing manhunt. Investigators said the gunman fled through a wooded area near Utah Valley University, abandoning a high-powered bolt-action rifle that has since been recovered. Agents also collected footwear impressions, a palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis at FBI laboratories.

"That rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled," Bohls said. "Every lead is being exhausted, and we will catch this individual."

Kirk, 31, was gunned down Wednesday while speaking at a Turning Point USA event hosted in an outdoor courtyard at Utah Valley University. Witnesses reported chaos as shots rang out and attendees scrambled for cover. The FBI has confirmed the shots came from an elevated position roughly 200 yards away, consistent with a sniper-style attack.

Video circulating online appeared to show a figure on a rooftop overlooking the courtyard. Authorities have not confirmed whether the person in the footage is the shooter but acknowledged that Kirk was targeted from long range.

Bureau Under Fire

The FBI's response has already drawn heavy criticism after officials initially announced two arrests, only to release both individuals hours later. The blunder has added to doubts about the bureau's effectiveness, particularly after FBI Director Kash Patel replaced the previous Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed in the Utah region following internal disagreements.

The removal of that senior official, just days before the shooting, has fueled speculation about whether leadership instability hampered the FBI's response. Critics say the combination of misidentifications and leadership turmoil has undermined confidence in the investigation.

"This is one of the most high-profile political assassinations in recent memory, and the FBI cannot afford to mishandle it," said a former senior law enforcement official familiar with federal protective protocols.

Kirk's killing has reverberated nationwide. A married father of two, he was a close ally of President Donald Trump and a central figure in conservative youth activism. Trump condemned the attack as "a despicable act against a great patriot," while lawmakers across the aisle urged investigators to restore public trust and deliver swift justice.

The FBI said it has already received more than 130 tips from the public. "We are investing everything we have into this, and we will catch this individual," Bohls insisted.

As vigils for Kirk take place across Arizona, Illinois, and Utah, the FBI has promised transparency but has not set a timeline for resolving the case. For now, the rifle, the prints, and the trail through the woods remain the best leads in a case that has shocked the country and put the FBI under the spotlight.