Charlie Kirk shooter's ammo 'engraved with trans and antifascist' slogans, says law enforcement bulletin

OREM, UTAH: The FBI has revealed that they have recovered the suspected shooter’s rifle in Charlie Kirk's case, including cartridges containing unusual markings.

The conservative activist was shot dead on Wednesday, September 10, while speaking at a university event in Orem, Utah.

FBI confirms recovery of rifle in Charlie Kirk's shooting death 

The rifle believed to have been used in the killing of Charlie Kirk was recovered Wednesday night in a wooded area where the FBI believes the killer fled after the shooting.

It was wrapped in a towel and had three unused cartridges still in the chamber, each apparently engraved with slogans of "transgender and anti-fascist ideology," according to a law enforcement bulletin cited by The Wall Street Journal. 

The Department of Justice also confirmed the authenticity of the bulletin, but warned that the “recovered evidence from the site of the assassination is still being assessed and the investigation is ongoing.”

Speaking with the New York Times, a senior law enforcement official said that preliminary reports regarding the ammo “might turn out to have been misread or misinterpreted.”

Kirk had been speaking to students just seconds before he was fatally shot, making remarks about transgender individuals being involved in mass shootings.  

FBI details rifle recovery, releases image of person of interest

Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, said investigators retrieved a “high-powered bolt action rifle” from the wooded area. He added that palm and footwear prints were also found near the site.

Authorities described the shooter as a male of college age who blended in with students on campus before opening fire.

Beau Mason, Utah’s public safety chief, noted that investigators have “good video footage” of the suspect. Officials said the gunman climbed onto a rooftop before making the fatal shot and then fled the campus.

The FBI also released an image of a person of interest connected to the case. The photos show an individual wearing a cap, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved black shirt.

“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley,” the Salt Lake City FBI office said on Thursday. Officials urged anyone with information to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI. 

Internet reacts to engraved ammo linked to Charlie Kirk's shooting death

Reactions online quickly followed news of the engraved cartridges.

“⁦@scrowder⁩ was right. ‘Trans & anti-fascist’ apparent motivation in Charlie’s murder. IT IS BEYOND TIME TO STOP CODDLING/PERPETUATING THE SPREAD OF THIS DANGEROUS IDEOLOGY,” wrote Megyn Kelly on X (formerly Twitter). 

Others questioned the findings, with a person writing, “I agree... At the same time, does it seem strange to anyone but me that there would be ‘engravings’ on cartridges by some deranged trans who just happens to leave them behind as a traceable clue? Maybe, but sus. I'm not buying it yet...too many possibilities at this point.”

“Too soon to ascribe motive. All we know is that words were used...could be significant, could be a distraction...another divisive tool,” one said.

“That’s not it. It’s what they want you to think. It’s the cover,” another added.

One more question, "I believe there is a direct connection between the shooter & the person that asked the trans / mass shooter question at exact time shot was fired... Find that person if they haven't already been thoroughly interrogated..."

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