Crime
FBI Recovers Rifle Used in Charlie Kirk Assassination, Cartridges Found with Engraved Transgender and Anti-Fascist Ideology
Witnesses described the shooter as appearing to be of college age.
OREM, Utah โ Federal investigators have announced that the weapon used in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University has been recovered.
Authorities confirmed the firearm to be a high-powered, imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle, which was located in a wooded area near the UVU campus, consistent with the suspected shooterโs escape route.
According to the FBI, surveillance video shows the gunman firing a single round from an elevated rooftop position on a building adjacent to the student courtyard, where Kirk was addressing attendees.
After the shot was fired, the suspect is seen jumping from the rooftop and fleeing on foot into a nearby neighborhood.
Witnesses described the shooter as appearing to be of college age.
The rifle was found wrapped in a towel.
Investigators reported that a spent cartridge remained chambered, along with three unspent rounds in the top-fed magazine.
Each of the cartridges contained engraved wording expressing transgender and anti-fascist ideology, which is now being examined as part of the motive investigation.
An emergency trace of the firearm has been submitted, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Salt Lake City field division is pursuing leads generated from that trace.
The rifle and ammunition have been transferred to the FBI Laboratory for DNA analysis and fingerprint processing.
Once forensic testing is complete, the firearm will be fully disassembled to determine additional importer and manufacturing details.
Authorities confirmed that multiple persons of interest have been detained or interviewed based on eyewitness testimony and video evidence; however, the primary suspect has not yet been identified.
The investigation is being jointly led by the FBI and the Utah State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), with assistance from the ATF and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
Officials continue to emphasize that the attack appeared to be targeted, with the shooter deliberately aiming from above into the outdoor event.
The shooting occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. MST on Wednesday, while Kirk was speaking at a student-sponsored Turning Point USA event. Roughly 3,000 people were in attendance. Despite heavy securityโincluding six UVU police officers assigned to the event and Kirkโs private security teamโthe shooter successfully carried out the attack before fleeing.
Kirk was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Earlier in the investigation, two individualsโGeorge Zinn and Zachariah Qureshiโwere taken into custody but later cleared of any direct connection to the shooting. Zinn faces a charge of obstruction by UVU Police, while Qureshi was released after questioning.
The FBI has established a digital media tip line at fbi.gov/UtahValleyShooting, urging the public to share any photos, videos, or information that could assist investigators.
The Utah Department of Public Safetyโs State Crime Lab is assisting in processing several active crime scenes, including the courtyard where Kirk was shot, the rooftop firing position, and the wooded area where the firearm was discovered.
University officials announced that Utah Valley University will remain closed for the rest of the week. Updates for students, faculty, and staff are being provided at uvu.info.
โThis is a tragic moment for Utah and for our country,โ officials said in a joint statement. โWe encourage anyone struggling with the impact of this event to contact 988, Utahโs mental health crisis line, for immediate assistance.โ
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.