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What kind of gun killed Charlie Kirk? What we know so far about 'sniper' caliber that TPUSA chief was shot with

No reports from Utah University indicate that the murder weapon has been recovered by the USA law enforcement as the shooter remains at large even hours after Charlie Kirk was shot dead

By The Week News Desk Updated: September 11, 2025 12:23 IST
U.S. right-wing activist and commentator Charlie Kirk throws hats to the crowd shortly before he was shot at a Utah Valley University | Reuters

While the US law enforcement agencies are yet to provide any official statement confirming the the exact make and model of the gun used to kill Charlie Kirk at Utah University, initial reports from a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent and other sources suggest that it was a sniper rifle that claimed his life. 

Later it was revealed that a bolt-action rifle was used to kill Kirk. Read more about the weapon and ammunition HERE.

A single shot was fired from a distance at 31-year-old Kirk, possibly from a rooftop, which points to the use of a long-range firearm. According to US media reports, the police and other agencies are almost certain that the shooter, who is yet to be identified, fired one shot from the rooftop of the Losee Center building, which was about 200 yards away from Kirk's position during the incident.

One report claimed that the shooter wore black clothes and tactical gear while carrying a long gun. However, there was little to no information, on the exact make/model,  calibre, or other identifying features of the weapon during the time of compiling this report. Thus, it is impossible to confirm at this moment if it was a sniper rifle or some other long gun was involved in the Turning Point USA founder's murder in broad daylight.

Who shot Charlie Kirk?

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, an influential ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a Utah university, sparking a manhunt for a lone sniper who the governor said had carried out a political assassination.Authorities said they still had no suspect in custody as of Wednesday night, some eight hours after the midday shooting at Utah Valley University campus in Orem, Utah, during an event attended by 3,000 people.

The lone perpetrator remains "at large," as per the Utah Department of Public Safety. State police issued a statement on Wednesday night saying that two men had been detained and one was interrogated by law enforcement, but both were subsequently released. "There are no current ties to the shooting with either of these individuals," the statement said. "There is an ongoing investigation and manhunt for the shooter." 

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