Social media has erupted in the wake of Kirk’s death, with political figures from both the right and left of US politics having condemned the shooting.

A concentrated manhunt has been underway since Wednesday. Yesterday the FBI released footage of a suspect climbing down from a nearby rooftop and skirting the edge of a car park before disappearing.

Following the finding of a rifle and ammunition, wrapped in a blanket in a wood area close by the university campus, images of the suspected shooter soon emerged.