Washington, DC: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday announced that it has recovered the weapon believed to have been used in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

According to Robert Bohls, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, investigators located a “high-powered bolt-action rifle” in a wooded area near Utah Valley University, where the fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday. The rifle is undergoing forensic testing to confirm whether it was indeed used in the killing.

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump, was shot in the neck during a public debate as part of his “American Comeback Tour.”

The shocking attack took place in front of thousands of attendees, with videos of the moment going viral online. Law enforcement officials said the manhunt for the suspect, believed to be a college-aged individual, is ongoing.

Authorities confirmed that multiple federal, state, and local agencies are working “around the clock” to apprehend the killer, who remains at large.

Bolt-action rifles, such as the one recovered, are known for their precision and durability. Unlike semi-automatic weapons, these rifles require the shooter to manually operate the bolt after each shot, providing better control and improved accuracy.

They are typically loaded using detachable magazines or stripper clips, making them a preferred choice for long-range precision shooting.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves through political and academic circles, sparking debates on campus security, public event safety, and political violence in the United States.