CNN Intelligence Analyst Says Kirk Shooter ‘Wasn’t an Amateur’
The person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk was someone well acquainted with shooting long-range rifles, according to CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller.
“This was not an amateur,” he said.
Kirk was hit by a single shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday and succumbed to his injuries. The killer remains at large as of Wednesday evening.
Given Kirk’s conservative activism, conservatives have decried the killing as a political assassination and have called on liberals to tone down their political rhetoric. That includes the ultra-pugnacious President Donald Trump, who released a video slamming Democrats for their criticisms of Kirk over the years.
Miller joined Wednesday’s edition of The Source, where he outlined to Kaitlan Collins the type of person that authorities are searching for:
Based on what we know so far, they have somebody they’re interested in who, according to my sources, when I last spoke to them, was not in custody.
But, you know, in a case like this, you’re looking for someone who, has detachment and a lack of empathy, who, likes to be in control. The offender characteristics of the of the assassin/sniper are something that’s been studied very closely, especially by the Secret Service. And it’s someone who’s methodical and patient, self-reliant.
In other words, Kaitlan, this is the kind of person who would’ve planned to get in silently, try to be invisible, take this shot, accomplish the mission, take the gun with them, and leave little evidence behind, which is why I think they’re having a very difficult time getting started on this. This is someone who is a planner.
Collins responded by noting that officials said the sniper was about 200 yards from Kirk when the shot was fired.
“What does that tell you about the person’s familiarity with firearms?” she asked.
Miller responded:
That tells you that the person is not new to shooting, that they understood exactly what type of long rifle to bring, what kind of optics in terms of scopes and sights to have on that. What the windage was that might affect a shot from that distance. 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.
Watch above via CNN.
