Federal and state authorities confirmed Thursday they have recovered the rifle used in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as investigators continue a sweeping manhunt for the suspect.

FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Bohls said a high-powered, bolt-action .30 caliber hunting rifle was discovered in a wooded area near Utah Valley University, where Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday during a Turning Point USA event. The weapon, wrapped in a towel, contained one spent cartridge and three unspent rounds.

According to law enforcement sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, those remaining rounds were engraved with slogans linked to transgender and antifascist ideology. A DOJ source told Newsmax the information came from internal emails but emphasized the evidence will only be released publicly “when the administration deems it appropriate.”

Authorities have obtained video images of the suspect and collected palm prints and footprints near the rifle. Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason described the gunman as “college-age” but declined to release further identifying details. Investigators believe the shooter fired a single shot from a rooftop roughly 200 yards from Kirk’s speaking tent before fleeing.

President Donald Trump, addressing the investigation, said: “They have a virtual manhunt out there, so we’ll see what happens, but we hope we get him.”

Videos circulating on social media show the moments leading up to the attack. Kirk, 31, was onstage debating a student about mass shootings involving transgender people when the gunman opened fire, striking him in the neck. Authorities have not identified the student and no arrests have been made.

“We are exhausting every lead,” Bohls said, underscoring that the investigation remains a top federal priority as the shooter remains at large.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Kirk will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Speaking at the Pentagon during a 9/11 commemoration, Trump hailed Kirk as “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”

“I’m pleased to announce that I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” the president said. “Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children.”

Trump added that the date of the ceremony would be announced soon, promising, “I can only guarantee you one thing, that we will have a very big crowd. Very, very big.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)