FBI’s Response to Kirk’s Assassination Draws Heavy Criticism

The assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA student summit has sent shockwaves throughout the American political landscape, drawing comparisons to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. As the manhunt for his killer enters its third day, serious concerns have been raised about the FBI’s capacity to manage such a high-profile investigation.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, an elderly man named George Zinn was apprehended by law enforcement, leading to speculation that he might be the gunman. However, he was quickly released, deemed “not an accurate person of interest” by Utah authorities.

By around 4:30 PM local time on Wednesday—four hours post-attack—Kash Patel, who was appointed to lead the bureau by Donald Trump, falsely claimed that the gunman had been arrested. This was later corrected when it was revealed that the suspect, Zachariah Qureshi, had been released after questioning.

On Thursday evening, the first CCTV footage emerged, showing the assailant fleeing across rooftops, casting doubt on Zinn’s initial arrest as a viable lead. During a morning press conference, investigators announced they were using AI technology to analyze grainy images of a “person of interest,” described as being of college age. However, they soon shifted tactics, publicly appealing for the public’s assistance.

Later that day, two still images were released depicting a thin white man in a black cap, sweatshirt, jeans, and sunglasses. The FBI offered a reward of $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s capture. In a subsequent press briefing, officials called on the public to provide tips to locate “this evil human being,” but the meeting yielded little new information.

Despite being flown in for the investigation, Patel remained largely silent during the press conference, standing aside as Utah Governor Spence Cox addressed the media. Since his appointment, Patel has made significant personnel changes within the FBI, including the dismissal of Mehtab Syed, the special agent in charge of Utah’s division, just a month prior to Kirk’s assassination. Syed was recognized as one of the bureau’s top agents and would have played a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.

Patel has accused the FBI of becoming politicized under President Biden, yet he himself has pursued investigations into Trump’s political opponents while promoting the administration’s anti-immigration policies. His controversial statement claiming a suspect was in custody has drawn criticism, with a White House source describing his conduct as “unprofessional” and unfit for the standards expected by the American public.

Reports have surfaced regarding a heated conference call where Patel criticized the manhunt as a “Mickey Mouse operation,” alleging that local FBI officials withheld key information from him for hours. This troubling dynamic has left survivors of the attack feeling unsettled and powerless.

Initial theories suggesting the gunman was a skilled marksman were also questioned, as experts indicated that even someone with minimal training could hit a small target with a scoped rifle.

Amidst the confusion, a wave of conspiracy theories has emerged due to the lack of clear information. Speculation has arisen that the assailant may have escaped via a private jet from the nearby Provo Airport, as authorities failed to secure airspace during the large-scale manhunt. Flight tracking data indicated a plane took off shortly after 2 PM on Wednesday, flying south to Arizona before vanishing from radar, only to reappear and return to Provo about an hour later.

As the investigation continues, FBI evidence response teams remain active in the area near the campus, canvassing neighborhoods in search of leads.