FBI Confirms Ideological Messages on Ammo Used in Charlie Kirk Shooting

The FBI confirmed that ammunition found at the scene of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting carried messages linked to transgender and anti-fascist ideologies. According to The Wall Street Journal, three spent cartridges were discovered with a bolt-action rifle abandoned in a wooded area near the Utah Valley University campus, where Kirk was shot during a public event on Wednesday.

The rifle, wrapped in a towel, is now being examined by the FBI’s forensic lab. CNN corroborated the existence of the markings but described them as “scrawled with cultural phrases.” Robert Bohls, head of the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, confirmed the weapon’s recovery and stated that the shooter fled into a nearby residential area immediately following the attack.

Officials believe the shooter is a “college-aged” individual who accessed the roof of a campus building before firing at Kirk from a distance. Surveillance footage shows the suspect—dressed entirely in dark clothing—ascending a stairwell to the roof and then fleeing the scene on foot. Law enforcement continues to search the surrounding neighborhood.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the agency’s commitment to finding the shooter, noting that the FBI is working closely with local and state authorities. The bureau has asked the public to provide any photos, videos, or information that may help identify the suspect.

Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason described the shooting as a “targeted attack” and noted that it covered a “very large area.” In a video posted online, former President Donald Trump condemned the incident, blaming “radical Left” rhetoric for inciting violence against conservatives.