The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Thursday that the bolt-action rifle used to kill US activist Charlie Kirk in Utah has been recovered. The search for the shooter, who appears to be of college age, is still ongoing.
Kirk, a 31-year-old podcast and radio commentator, was shot and killed on Wednesday during an event. He was known for his close alliance with US President Donald Trump and his efforts to boost Republican support among young voters. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has described the killing as a "political assassination".
The shooting occurred while Kirk was speaking onstage at an outdoor event titled "Prove Me Wrong" at Utah Valley University, in front of an audience of approximately 3,000 people. The incident was recorded in vivid detail and quickly circulated online.
According to Utah officials, the shooter crossed a rooftop to get into his firing position before escaping into a nearby neighbourhood. Clear video footage of the suspect, who seemed to be of college age and fit right in on campus, has been obtained by the authorities. The Utah Department of Public Safety has promised to track down the offender. The FBI confirmed that the high-powered rifle, believed to be the weapon used, has been recovered and will be analysed in its lab, along with footprints and other physical evidence from the scene. Investigators are also relying on public assistance as the search continues.
Kirk, the co-founder and president of the conservative student organisation Turning Point USA, was pronounced dead at a local hospital several hours after the shooting. His death prompted immediate outrage and widespread condemnation of political violence from Democrats, Republicans, and even foreign governments.
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Kirk's campus gatherings, according to Governor Spencer Cox, were "foundational to the formation of our country, to our most basic constitutional rights," and they were part of a longstanding tradition of free political discourse. He added that when "someone takes the life of a person because of their ideas or their ideals, then that very constitutional foundation is threatened."
According to a source familiar with the matter, Vice President JD Vance cancelled a planned trip to New York for the September 11 commemoration and will instead travel to Utah to be with Kirk’s family.
Kirk had been involved in conservative politics since his teenage years, building connections that would later lead many of his allies to high-level positions in government and media. In a tribute on social media, Vance reflected on their relationship, noting they shared multiple group chats. He wrote, "So much of the success we've had in this administration traces directly to Charlie's ability to organise and convene." He didn't just help us win in 2024, he helped us staff the entire government."
Also Read: Charlie Kirk shot dead in Utah
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