Authorities have confirmed that the firearm used in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has been recovered, marking a key breakthrough in the ongoing investigation. The weapon, described as a high-powered rifle, was discovered in a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus where Kirk was fatally shot while addressing students.
Investigators revealed that the suspect, believed to be of college age, blended seamlessly into the campus environment before carrying out the attack. Surveillance footage reportedly captured his movements as he climbed stairwells to access the rooftop, crossed over to the shooting point, and then escaped by leaping off the building. After fleeing the campus, the suspect moved into a nearby neighborhood. Officials also confirmed they have obtained a footwear impression believed to belong to the gunman.
Kirk, founder of the conservative youth movement Turning Point USA, was struck in the neck during the shooting and later died from his injuries. The incident has left students and community members shaken, with many gathering near campus hours later to collect belongings abandoned in the rush to safety. Witnesses described the atmosphere as tense and unsettling.
Law enforcement officials reassured the public that there is no immediate threat to the wider community, even as the manhunt intensifies. They indicated they are withholding some details to avoid compromising the investigation but remain confident in their progress.
The killing has sparked a wave of national reaction. Vice President JD Vance, a close friend of Kirk and his family, has travelled to Utah to pay his respects, cancelling previously scheduled engagements. President Donald Trump, after attending a 9/11 memorial service, expressed his condolences to Kirk’s family and acknowledged the deep loss felt across conservative circles. He described Kirk as “unique” and announced plans to honor him posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Trump emphasized the importance of unity in the wake of the tragedy and said he has been fully briefed on the search for the suspect. Authorities have described the current operation as a “virtual manhunt,” with resources concentrated on tracking down the individual responsible for the assassination.
The death of Charlie Kirk marks a seismic moment in American politics, silencing one of the most prominent conservative voices of his generation and leaving his movement at a crossroads.
