Kuwait city: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Thursday that investigators have discovered the rifle used in the killing of influencer Charlie Kirk and obtained video footage of the shooter. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls confirmed that the weapon, identified as a high-powered bolt action rifle, was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. In addition to the firearm, investigators collected a footwear impression, a palm print, and forearm imprints for analysis. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot with a single bullet while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI are actively searching for the shooter, who was reportedly dressed in all dark clothing. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason stated that video footage of the suspect has been obtained. The footage tracks the suspect's movements on campus, through stairwells, to the roof, and then to the shooting location. After the incident, the suspect was seen fleeing the campus and entering a nearby neighborhood.
Mason further explained that investigators are engaging with community members, reviewing doorbell camera footage, and seeking witnesses to generate leads. Closed-circuit TV footage from campus security cameras is being analyzed, although its quality is limited. Utah dispatch audio captured the urgency following the shooting, with descriptions of the suspect wearing all black attire, including a tactical helmet and mask.
In related news, President Donald Trump announced that Charlie Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.