Federal investigators probing the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk are examining reports that the rifle used in the attack contained ammunition engraved with transgender and antifascist messages. According to an internal law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Wall Street Journal, the discovery adds a complex layer to an already sensitive case.
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday during his American Comeback Tour appearance at Utah Valley University. Authorities described the incident as a “targeted attack.” Witness videos showed panicked attendees fleeing as Kirk clutched his neck, bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound.
Officials recovered an older-model .30 caliber bolt-action rifle, wrapped in a towel, with a spent cartridge in the chamber and three unspent engraved rounds in the magazine. Still, a senior law enforcement official told The New York Times that such reports “had not yet been verified by ATF analysts” and warned against premature conclusions.
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason confirmed that investigators have pieced together the shooter’s movements.
“We have tracked his movements onto the campus, through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the river to a shooting location,” Mason stated. “After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled into a neighborhood.”
The FBI has released surveillance photos of a person of interest—described as appearing college-aged, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve black shirt—and is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information. Investigators are also analyzing footwear impressions, a palm print, and forearm imprints found near the scene.
The FBI and the Utah Department of Public Safety are leading the joint investigation alongside the Utah County Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, and local police departments. Officials maintain that while the search continues, the surrounding community remains safe.
