Kathrine Frich
Officials say the markings appear to carry ideological messages and could be a key clue in tracking down the shooter.
Officials say the markings appear to carry ideological messages and could be a key clue in tracking down the shooter.
FBI reveals bullets carried chilling messages
The FBI confirmed that the ammunition used to kill Charlie Kirk was not ordinary.
Investigators found that several rounds had words engraved on them, turning the weapon into more than just a tool of violence.
Rifle recovered after assassination
Law enforcement recovered the murder weapon, a .30 caliber hunting rifle, abandoned in a wooded area near the university.
The gun was wrapped in a towel, with a single cartridge still in the chamber.
Alongside it, police found a magazine containing three unused rounds, each carrying engraved words.
Engravings tied to ideology
Sources quoted by The Wall Street Journal said the ammunition bore “messages of transgender and antifascist ideology.”
Investigators believe the shooter deliberately prepared the bullets to send a statement.
For the FBI, this detail offers a possible motive and a chilling look into the mindset of the attacker.
A public murder during Q&A
Charlie Kirk, just 31 years old, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
He had been answering questions about gun violence and mass shootings when a single shot struck him in the neck.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and horrifying, with students rushing for safety as Kirk collapsed on stage.
Shooter caught on camera fleeing
Video footage shows a figure dressed in black, lying on the roof of a nearby building during the event.
Moments after the shot was fired, the suspect jumped up and fled the scene, running toward nearby woods.
Investigators say the person wore aviator-style sunglasses and appeared to be of college age.
Evidence left at the scene
Special agent Robert Bohls confirmed that the recovered rifle has been sent to an FBI laboratory for analysis.
Palm and footwear prints were also found near where the weapon was left.
These traces suggest the shooter made a quick escape into the forest, leaving behind crucial evidence for investigators.
Students watched in shock
Kirk’s death came in front of a live audience of students who had gathered for his talk.
The conservative activist had just engaged in a sharp exchange about transgender Americans and gun violence before he was killed.
Witnesses later described the moment as surreal, as the atmosphere turned from debate to panic in seconds.
Over 130 tips flood in
Utah’s public safety chief Beau Mason said investigators now have “good video footage” of the suspect, adding that more than 130 tips have already come in.
While officials are encouraged by the response, they continue to warn that the shooter may still be armed and dangerous.
The nationwide search remains a top FBI priority.
Manhunt continues after political killing
Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sent shockwaves through the political world.
Allies of the conservative speaker and Trump supporter condemned the killing, calling it a targeted act of political violence.
The FBI has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any information that could lead to the suspect’s capture.
