By Gloria Nosa
The investigation into the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, has taken a significant turn as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it had recovered what is believed to be the murder weapon used in the fatal shooting. The development comes amid a full-scale manhunt for the young suspect, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
FBI Special Agent Robert Bohls, speaking from Salt Lake City, revealed on Thursday that a high-powered bolt-action rifle was discovered in a wooded area not far from Utah Valley University, where Kirk was gunned down while addressing students. Authorities strongly believe the rifle is the same weapon used in the attack. “Our evidence recovery teams are confident this firearm is directly linked to the shooting,” Bohls said. “We are processing it for ballistic matches, fingerprints, and DNA.”
The announcement has heightened public interest and concern across the country, as millions watch the case unfold in real time.
The Attack: How It Happened
Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason provided chilling details of the shooter’s movements on the day of the attack. According to Mason, the suspect entered the university grounds just before noon on September 10. He then navigated stairwells to reach the roof of a building overlooking the courtyard where Kirk was delivering a speech.
At approximately 12:07 p.m., the suspect positioned himself, aimed, and opened fire on Kirk, striking him fatally before escaping into a nearby residential neighborhood. “This was not a random act,” Mason emphasized. “It was a calculated, targeted attack carried out with precision.”
Investigators have since recovered a footprint impression, a partial palm print, and forearm imprints in the area where the rifle was found, suggesting the suspect may have paused there briefly before discarding the weapon. Authorities confirmed they also have strong video surveillance of the suspect but are withholding the footage for operational reasons.
“This individual will be caught,” Mason vowed. “We are investing every resource into bringing him into custody.”
Campus and National Reaction
Utah Valley University has suspended classes until September 14, citing safety concerns and the need for a security reassessment. The institution described the event as the darkest moment in its history. “Our students, staff, and faculty are shaken,” said the university’s president. “We are providing grief counseling and support services during this tragic time.”
Across the nation, tributes have poured in for Kirk, who was widely recognized as one of the most influential conservative activists of his generation. President Donald Trump, a close ally of Kirk, announced that the slain activist will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions,” Trump said, ordering U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff through the weekend.
Vice President JD Vance, who traveled to Utah to console Kirk’s family, called him “a good man, a faithful Christian, and a young father whose life was taken too soon.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox went further, describing the attack as a “political assassination” and growing emotional while condemning what he called America’s “dangerously toxic climate of division.”
From the opposite side of the aisle, former President Joe Biden issued a statement urging unity. “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence,” Biden said. “It must end now.” California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed similar sentiments, calling the killing “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. Over the span of a decade, he transformed the group into one of the most powerful youth-driven conservative organizations in America, drawing tens of thousands of college students into its ranks and building strong alliances with top Republican leaders, including Donald Trump.
Kirk was admired by his supporters as a passionate defender of free speech, faith, and conservative values. To his critics, however, he was a polarizing figure who often drew controversy with his fiery rhetoric. Nonetheless, his influence on conservative youth politics was undeniable.
At the time of his death, Kirk was 31, married, and a father of two young children. His friends describe him as a “family man at heart” whose public persona often overshadowed his private devotion to his wife and children. “Charlie lived for his faith, his family, and his country,” said Turning Point USA co-founder Bill Montgomery. “He gave everything to this movement, and his legacy will outlast the hatred that took him.”
The Hunt for the Gunman
The manhunt for the shooter has become one of the FBI’s top national priorities. Investigators have deployed drones, tactical teams, and forensic experts across Utah, while also coordinating with local law enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland Security.
The suspect is described as a male in his late teens or early twenties, likely a student or recent college graduate. Authorities are pursuing multiple leads and have asked the public to remain vigilant. “If you see something, say something,” Bohls said. “Do not approach this individual. Call law enforcement immediately.”
Officials have stressed that the suspect is dangerous and may attempt another act of violence. While no motive has been officially confirmed, the targeted nature of the attack has raised fears of politically motivated violence.
America Confronts Another Political Tragedy
Kirk’s assassination has reignited debates about the rise of political extremism and violence in the United States. Many lawmakers are calling for bipartisan dialogue to cool tensions. Others have demanded stronger campus security and better monitoring of potential threats.
World leaders have also reacted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kirk “a lion-hearted friend of Israel,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described his death as “an atrocious murder, a deep wound for democracy.”
For now, however, the focus remains squarely on justice. The FBI insists that the investigation is progressing rapidly and has assured the public that the shooter’s days on the run are numbered.
“Charlie Kirk’s death is a tragedy,” Bohls said. “But justice will be served. We will not stop until this killer is brought to account.”
