Charlie Kirk Shooting: Police Find Gun Used to Kill Right-Wing Activist as Suspect Remains at Large

A "person of interest" has been released from police custody after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at the age of 31.

Officials, however, revealed on Thursday, September 11, that they recovered a gun they believe was used to kill Kirk.

According to Robert Bohls — a special agent at the FBI's Salt Lake City field office — the weapon found by police was a "high-powered, bolt-action rifle" discovered in a "wooded area" where the assassin fled after murdering Kirk from the roof of a building on a Utah college campus.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox had previously confirmed hours after Kirk's death on Wednesday, September 10, that a suspect had been identified in the fatal shooting of the conservative media personality — though he has since been released.

This was the second potential suspect police detained and interviewed amid the aftermath of Kirk's passing.

"The investigation is ongoing, but I want to make it crystal clear right now to whoever did this: We will find you, we will try you, and we will hold you accountable to the furthest extent of the law," Cox declared during a news conference.

Law enforcement officials noted their belief there is only one "person involved" in the fatal shooting of Kirk — the co-founder of the conservative organization Turning Point USA and outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump.

"At this point, there is no information that would lead us to believe that there is a second person involved," the Utah governor revealed.

Investigators are "actively looking" for people who may have more information about the shooting, however, with the FBI setting up a tip line where people can submit helpful details about the situation.

"The FBI has created a digital media tip line seeking information regarding the shooting at Utah Valley University that took place on September 10, 2025," the FBI's official X account for Salt Lake City wrote.

The investigation is being lead by both the Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI, according to Utah's public safety commissioner, Beau Mason.

President Trump was one of the first people to confirm Kirk's passing in a statement shared to Truth Social on Wednesday.

"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead," the POTUS announced. "No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife, Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Kirk was only 31 when he tragically lost his life with a gunshot wound to the neck.

The Republican pundit is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve Kirk, whom he married in May 2021, and their two young children — a 3-year-old daughter, who they call GG, and a 15-month old son born in May 2024, whose name has not yet been shared publicly.

The couple celebrated their daughter birthday on August 23, just weeks before Charlie's death.

"Happy birthday to our incredible daughter. Teaching her to know God, alongside @mrserikakirk, is the greatest privilege. Having a family will change your life in the best ways, so get married and have kids. You won’t regret it," Charlie captioned a post of him and his little girl.