The FBI has recovered what it believes to be the weapon used in the fatal shooting Wednesday of conservative influencer and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
Investigators have found found a high-powered rifle in a wooded area near the university. They were also able to gather forensic evidence, such as footprints, officials said.
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The investigation is being described as a major, multi-agency effort. Federal agents joined local police in Orem, Utah, and state law enforcement within minutes of the shooting. FBI involvement brings additional resources, including access to national investigative databases and advanced forensic tools.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are expected to use gun tracing and ballistic analysis through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. The system can identify whether a bullet or cartridge matches evidence from other cases, potentially linking the weapon to other crimes or identifying a suspect.
The investigation, meanwhile, has experienced conflicting public statements. On Wednesday evening, FBI Director Kash Patel initially stated that a person related to the shooting was in custody. Local officials then said the suspect was still at large. Later, Patel clarified that the individual he was referencing had been released after being interrogated by police.
The FBI has since released images of a "person of interest" wearing a black hat, black shirt with U.S. flag imagery, blue jeans, and sunglasses.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. The FBI said it is also offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of anyone linked to the shooting.
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