Details emerged this morning concerning the firearm found near the Charlie Kirk assassination site at Utah Valley University, where the conservative political influencer was fatally shot on September 10th, 2025. The weapon, an older model Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle, was discovered wrapped in a towel in a wooded area and contained cartridges engraved with transgender and anti-fascist ideology. The FBI is conducting DNA and fingerprint analysis on the firearm and ammunition, according to an ATF officer's email shared via X at approximately 1:01 PM UTC on September 11th, 2025. An ATF officer's email, shared via X by @scrowder at approximately 1:01 PM UTC on September 11th, 2025, stated that the recovered firearm's location appeared to match the suspect's route of travel. The email, which also included a screenshot from an internal message, detailed that the suspect fired a single shot from an elevated position on a rooftop before fleeing the scene on foot. The investigation, co-led by the FBI and Utah SBI, has identified multiple people of interest based on eyewitness testimony and video footage, though the primary suspect remains unidentified. The ATF is assisting with multiple federal, state, and local partners. In parallel developments, Speaker Mike Johnson discussed security concerns for members of Congress during a statement shared via X by @JakeSherman at approximately 1:00 PM UTC on September 11th, 2025. Johnson stated that providing full security details for all 435 House members would cost billions of dollars and require approximately 5,000 additional Capitol Police officers, deeming it not a possibility. He noted that members have existing safety measures and a pilot program for hiring security is in place for the House. Previous reports from September 11th, 2025, indicated the U.S. inflation rate rose to 2.9% year-over-year in August. Charlie Kirk's last text message to Senator Mike Lee was shared on X at 12:46 PM UTC on September 11th, 2025, stating it was sent as Kirk was heading to his event at Utah Valley University. A FIRE survey released on September 11th, 2025, indicated that 34% of college students believe violence may be justified to stop campus speakers. Utah Valley University's campus remains closed until September 15th, and President Donald Trump had ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening to honor Kirk.
