An FBI agent looks near Utah Valley University where evidence was collected as authorities investigate the shooting of political activist Charlie Kirk on September 11, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
On Thursday, authorities said they recovered the rifle used to assassinate Kirk in the woods near the scene, where investigators believe the shooter abandoned it while fleeing to evade law enforcement.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK
"They're gonna be doing a lot of work on the forensics of this weapon as these firearms tend to have a history," he said, adding that investigators will try to trace where it was sold and how it changed hands.
"It’s possible the shooter used a straw buyer or another method to conceal their identity — but that’s the kind of legwork investigators will now have to do to track the shooter," Kempfer said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls speaks during a press conference to give an update on the search for the man who killed political activist Charlie Kirk on Sept. 11, 2025 in Orem, Utah. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
Kempfer, who served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, said that the fatal shot was "not a particularly difficult" one but does take planning.
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"You wouldn't have to be some expert sniper or something, hunters take this shot all the time," he said, adding that the distance, clear weather, and elevated position all worked to the shooter’s advantage.
Amanda covers the intersection of business and geopolitics for Fox News Digital.
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