Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was gunned down on Wednesday in what authorities are calling a calculated rooftop assassination. The 31-year-old was struck by a single round before the assailant fled the scene.
Federal investigators revealed Thursday that a “high-powered” rifle linked to the killing has been recovered. FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls said the weapon was discovered in a “wooded area” along the shooter’s escape route and has been sent to the bureau’s lab for testing. Agents also collected a “footwear impression” and “a forearm imprint,” both of which are undergoing forensic analysis, according to reports.
FBI holds press conference on Charlie Kirk assassination https://t.co/D0lGIpgRyA
— Heather Hunter (@heatherhunterdc) September 11, 2025
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason described the suspect as someone who “appears to be of college age.” Mason noted that law enforcement possesses photographic evidence of the individual, adding, “We are confident in our abilities to track that individual.”
When pressed by reporters for more detail, Bohls explained that officials had obtained images of the gunman but were withholding identifying features. “We can’t comment specifically on his face,” he said, promising, “We’ll release that shortly.”
The FBI’s confirmation of the recovered rifle adds a critical piece to the ongoing manhunt, as investigators continue to examine the shooter’s movements and motives in a case that has already shaken national politics.
The press conference appeared to confirm parts of an email allegedly from the ATF that was sent to conservative commentator Steven Crowder that may point to a motive for the slaying of Kirk.
EXCLUSIVE: This morning my team received an e-mail from officer at ATF.
The email included a screen shot from what appears to be an internal message describing a weapon and cartridges located by an ATF and other law enforcement near the scene of the Charlie Kirk shooting at… pic.twitter.com/UKtOUPY5DC
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) September 11, 2025
The Wall Street Journal has also confirmed that the bullets from the gun used to assassinate Charlie Kirk had “Antifascist” and “transgender ideology” engravings.
Kirk, 31, was known for speaking about all kinds of issues while visiting various college campuses, including issues of gender transition, especially among children.
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Another case of a total failure of site security. Whoever was responsible for site security needs to be fired. An speeh should ever be allowed to be given when there are building or trees less that 500 yards from the targets position. It does not matter who the speaker is. Or security people need to be on top of every building.