The manhunt for the gunman who assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk intensified Thursday as investigators revealed they have recovered the high-powered rifle believed to have been used in the fatal shooting, but acknowledged the killer remains at large. The discovery of the weapon, a Mauser .30-caliber bolt-action rifle, offers a crucial lead in a case that has sent shockwaves through the nation and underscored the escalating threat of political violence.
The rifle was found hidden in a towel in a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus, along a path authorities believe the shooter used to flee after the Wednesday afternoon attack. Investigators also recovered a spent cartridge in the chamber and found three additional rounds in the magazine, providing critical forensic evidence that could help identify the suspect. FBI officials said they are also analyzing a palm print and shoe impression found near the scene.
Despite the discovery of the weapon, key questions remain unanswered. Authorities have yet to identify the gunman and have released two photos of a “person of interest” in a public appeal for information, offering a $100,000 reward. Beau Mason, the commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety, told reporters that the suspect “appears to be of college age” and was able to “blend in” with the thousands of people who attended the event, which may have complicated initial identification efforts.
The brazen, long-range assassination of Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, was captured on gruesome videos that have circulated widely on social media. The attack occurred while Kirk was participating in an open-air debate on gun violence, a tragic irony that has been noted by many political commentators.
The political world is still reeling from the shock. President Trump was one of the first to confirm Kirk’s death and has since ordered all U.S. flags to be lowered to half-mast in a mark of respect. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “I want to be very clear this is a political assassination.”
The ongoing search for the killer has put a somber focus on the vulnerability of public figures and the rising tide of political rage. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, as a killer remains on the loose and the motive for the attack is still unknown. The discovery of the rifle is a major step, but it marks the beginning, not the end, of the hunt for a man who forever changed the landscape of American political debate.
This video provides an update from law enforcement officials on the manhunt for the suspect.