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 — 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 shooter’s 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 security—including six UVU police officers assigned to the event and Kirk’s private security team—the 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 individuals—George Zinn and Zachariah Qureshi—were 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 Safety’s 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.
“This is a tragic moment for Utah and for our country,” officials said in a joint statement. “We encourage anyone struggling with the impact of this event to contact 988, Utah’s mental health crisis line, for immediate assistance.”
SPENCER, OKLAHOMA — Authorities have confirmed that a 17-year-old student was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon following a violent altercation near Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly after an altercation broke out among a group of juveniles near the intersection of Northeast 34th Street and Spencer Road.
During the confrontation, one of the individuals reportedly produced a firearm and opened fire, striking a male teenager.
Emergency personnel transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified by Oklahoma City Public Schools officials as 17-year-old Sebastian Guyton, a student at Star Spencer High School.
Following the shooting, law enforcement initiated a search of the area. One suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, though authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the individual’s identity or potential charges.
As a precaution, several nearby schools were placed on temporary lockdown while officers secured the area.
Classes at Star Spencer High School have been canceled for the remainder of the week in light of the tragedy.
In a statement released Wednesday, Star Spencer High School officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their student:
“Please help keep our Bobcat family and friends in your thoughts during this very difficult time,” the statement read.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.