Federal authorities confirmed details regarding the firearm recovered near the scene of Charlie Kirk's assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025. The weapon, an older model imported Mauser .30-06 caliber bolt action rifle, was found wrapped in a towel in a wooded area that appears to match the suspect's travel route. Cartridges found with the weapon bear engraved transgender and anti-fascist ideology, according to an email from an ATF officer obtained by a source on September 11th, 2025. The FBI is conducting DNA analysis and fingerprint impressions on the firearm and ammunition. In parallel, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson discussed security concerns for members of Congress on September 11th, 2025, stating that providing full security details for all House members would cost billions and require approximately 5,000 additional Capitol Police officers, deeming it not a possibility. Johnson noted that members have existing safety measures, including a pilot program for House members to hire security. The recovered firearm was found with a spent cartridge still chambered and three unspent rounds in the magazine. An emergency trace has been submitted, and an ATF Salt Lake City field office is pursuing leads generated from the trace. Multiple individuals have been contacted or detained based on eyewitness testimony and video footage, though the primary suspect remains unidentified. The ATF is assisting the FBI and Utah State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with the investigation, which is co-led by the FBI and Utah SBI. Surveillance video indicates the suspect fired one shot from an elevated position on a rooftop of an adjacent building before jumping off and fleeing on foot. Earlier on September 11th, 2025, Heather Long reported via X that the U.S. inflation rate rose to 2.9% year-over-year in August, up from 2.3% in April, citing increases in food, gas, and shelter costs. Senator Mike Lee shared Kirk's last text message on X at 12:46 PM UTC, stating it was sent as Kirk headed 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, an increase from 24% in 2021. Utah Valley University campus remains closed until September 15th, and President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening to honor Kirk.
