The estimated 3,000-strong crowd erupted in panic as Kirk slumped back in his seat. The popular right-wing political influencer was ultimately declared dead 90 minutes later in hospital.

A concerted, highly-publicized manhunt instantly got underway, though the suspect in the shooting remained at large heading into day two of the search.

Authorities were able to track the suspect as he made his escape from the rooftops and around the edge of a nearby carpark, eventually finding the rifle used in the slaying of Kirk in a wooded area. Images of the college-aged man they were looking for in connection with the shooting were soon released to the public, as well as a $100,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Despite FBI director Kash Patel’s frankly odd proclamation that this is what happens “when you let good cops