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.”
The FBI has images and video of the Charlie Kirk assassin and have been able to start tracking his movements. pic.twitter.com/ftI6NVwNyt
— ALX
(@alx) September 11, 2025
(@alx)
“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.”
Gabbard praised Kirk for his courage and unwavering commitment to free speech, calling the assassination a deliberate attempt to shut down not just his voice, but the voices of millions who share his beliefs.
Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect remains at large.
However, a internal email from the ATF has been leaked giving incite into the investigation:
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 Utah Valley State University.
“On September 10, 2025, at approximately 12:24PM, Conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at the Utah Valley University in Orem, UT. Mr. Kirk was speaking at the University as part of the American Comeback Tour. Multiple SLC I and III agents responded immediately. The suspect fired one shot from an elevated position on a rooftop in an adjacent building on the campus and surveillance video shows the suspect, jumping off and fleeing the area on foot. ATF and other law-enforcement located an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle wrapped in a towel in a wooded area near the campus. The location of the firearm appears to match the suspects route of travel. The spent cartridge was still chambered in addition to three unspent rounds at the top fed magazine. All cartridges have engraved wording on them, expressing transgender and anti-fascist ideology. An emergency trace has been submitted an ATF SLC is working leads generated by the trace. The firearm and ammunition have been taken by the FBI for DNA analysis and fingerprint impressions. Upon completion of forensics, the firearm will be disassembled for additional importer information. Multiple people of interest having contacted or detained because of eyewitness testimony and review of video footage. The primary suspect is yet to be identified. ATF is assisting the investigation with multiple other federal, state, and local partners and the case is co-led by the FBI and Utah SBI.””
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
Crowder has been a wild card however, the Nashivlle Christian school shooters manifesto was also leaked to him and authenticated.
