FBI Give Update On Manhunt For The Suspect Involved In Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Federal authorities announced Thursday that they have recovered what is believed to be the weapon used in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—marking a critical step forward in a chilling and politically explosive investigation that has shocked the nation.

At a press conference held at Utah Valley University, FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls revealed that the suspected weapon is a high-powered bolt-action rifle. According to Bohls, the rifle was discovered in a wooded area near where the shooter was last seen fleeing. The FBI has also gathered physical evidence, including footwear, palm prints, and forearm imprints, all of which are now undergoing forensic analysis at the FBI’s crime lab.

“We are not sure how far he has gone,” Bohls said of the still-unidentified shooter.

Utah authorities confirmed the assassin appeared to be of “college age,” though they withheld further identifying information. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason explained that surveillance footage showed the shooter climbed onto a rooftop overlooking Kirk’s speaking event on campus. Moments after pulling the trigger, he reportedly leapt from the building and disappeared into a nearby neighborhood.

The timeline of the attack is now coming into focus. The suspect arrived at Utah Valley University at 11:52 a.m. on Wednesday and opened fire roughly thirty minutes later. Authorities say they have obtained “good video footage” and are confident in their ability to track the suspect, but no arrests have yet been made.

The timing of the assassination adds a grim historical weight. Charlie Kirk was murdered the day before the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks. The parallels weren’t lost on former Congresswoman and current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who condemned the act as “terrorism, plain and simple.”

“This evil act is the very definition of terrorism: an unlawful use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political or religious aims,” Gabbard posted on X. “Whether it’s Islamists like al-Qaeda or the fanatics who try to stop Charlie Kirk and others from speaking the truth… they resort to violence to silence people and to terrorize others into silence.”