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
Who was Jesse Strang? Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooting Suspect Identified as Transgender Student
Authorities are continuing to investigate the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left at least 10 people dead, including multiple victims at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two individuals at a separate residence connected to the case.
While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have not formally released the suspectโs identity, the alleged shooter has been identified by a close family member as 17-year-old Jesse Strang, a student at the school.
The outlet stated it spoke with Russell G. Strang, identified as the suspectโs uncle, who claimed that Jesse was responsible for the attack and described the teen as transgender.
Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed these details, and investigators have urged the public to rely on verified information as the case remains active.
According to RCMP, gunfire was first reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Responding officers discovered six victims deceased inside the building, while a seventh victim later died while being transported to a hospital.
Two additional victims were airlifted to regional medical facilities with serious or life-threatening injuries, and roughly 25 others were evaluated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
During the investigation, officers identified what they described as a โsecondary location believed to be connected to the incident.โ At that residence, police located two additional victims who were pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected gunman is also deceased, reportedly from what investigators believe to be a self-inflicted injury.
โOfficers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to todayโs events,โ the RCMP said in a statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed profound sorrow following the tragedy.
โI am devastated by this shooting. I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,โ Carney said.
Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of approximately 2,400 residents in the Northern Rockies region of northeastern British Columbia, is now grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest acts of violence in its history.
Crisis support resources and emergency personnel have been mobilized to assist victims, families, and residents affected by the tragedy.
In the wake of the shooting, strong opinions and commentary have circulated online regarding the suspectโs identity, gender, and possible motives.
Authorities have not established a motive, nor have they confirmed personal details about the suspect. Officials caution against spreading speculation or attributing the attack to any ideology or group without verified evidence.
The investigation remains active as law enforcement works to confirm the suspectโs identity, reconstruct the timeline of events, and determine what factors led to the violence.
Additional updates are expected as authorities continue to gather and verify information.
Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement and encouraging the public to respect the privacy of the victimsโ families during this time of profound loss.