FBI agents recovered a Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle used in the shooting of political influencer Charlie Kirk behind Utah Valley University’s Losee building on Sept. 11. The shooter was traced through the woods to a nearby construction site, where a man operating an excavator interacted with the shooter before police arrived. The recovery of the rifle is seen as a significant development in the case, as it could provide crucial evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, or a serial number. Experts believe that the high-profile nature of the case makes it difficult for the suspect to avoid detection. The rifle’s caliber and mechanism suggest that the shooter may have prepared and practiced for the shot, which was fired from less than 150 yards away from Kirk. The FBI’s recovery of the firearm will expedite the investigation by allowing for the tracing and testing of biological evidence.
Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The weapon used was an imported .30-06-caliber Mauser bolt-action rifle containing ammo engraved with “transgender and anti-fascist ideology.” Kirk, 31, was struck in the neck by a single shot fired from approximately 200 yards away. The shooter is still at large, and the FBI released surveillance images of a person of interest connected to the shooting. President Trump announced he would posthumously award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kirk is survived by his wife and two young children.
A bolt-action rifle was used in the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 11, 2025, at Utah Valley University. The rifle is valued for its reliability but limited to a single shot before reloading, requiring manual operation of the bolt handle to cycle the weapon. The spent cartridge often remains in the chamber, leaving no shell casings for forensic evidence. Authorities recovered the rifle in the woods near the scene and are conducting forensic analysis to trace its history and track the shooter. Retired Marine Lt. Col. Hal Kempfer stated that the fatal shot was not particularly difficult but required planning.
The FBI has released images of a person of interest in the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, who was shot during an event on a university campus. The suspect is still on the run, and a rifle was found in a wooded area where the shooter fled. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the killer’s capture. Police are investigating multiple leads, with over 200 tips received from the public. Donald Trump has commented on the situation, stating that the FBI is making progress in finding the shooter. Charlie Kirk was the co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student movement known for controversial views. The shooting occurred during one of Kirk’s events where he was addressing a crowd of around 3,000 people.
Authorities are searching for a college-aged individual in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in Utah. The suspect is believed to have used a high-powered rifle and knew the layout of the university where the shooting occurred. Law enforcement sources revealed that the weapon used was an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle found in a wooded area near the school, along with spent cartridges. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s capture. The investigation includes analyzing forensic evidence like fingerprints, DNA, and surveillance footage to track the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting. A former FBI agent noted that the suspect likely planned the shooting meticulously and may have had prior training or practice with firearms. Investigators are also checking local gun ranges and shops for any leads in the case.
