High-powered rifle used to kill Charlie Kirk found in wooded area as 'college age' gunman still at large
A high-powered bolt action rifle used to shoot and kill right-wing political influencer Charlie Kirk has been recovered by the FBI - as the hunt to track down the assassin continues.
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The FBI discovered the weapon in a nearby woods after tracking the suspect's movements - revealing the shooter fled into a neighbourhood after shooting the close Donald Trump ally in the neck in front of 3,000 horrified students.
Investigators have since discovered and are analysing a "footwear impression, a paw print and a forearm imprint", the FBI said.
Bullets found in the weapon used to gun down the conservative activist were reportedly engraved with transgender and anti-fascist messages, sources told the Wall Street Journal.
Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge of the case, said the agency also has images of the assassin revealing him to be of 'college age'.
Mr Bohls said he "can't comment specifically on his face" as it remains part of the investigation, but added that it will be "released shortly".
Read more: Farage: Trump will be 'deeply affected' by Charlie Kirk's assassination
"We're not sure how far he has gone yet," he admittted.
Mr Kirk's death was announced by a US President Donald Trump, a close political ally, last night. The US President today awarded Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour.
In the statement, Mr Trump said he was "filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk".
He wrote: "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.
"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"
The 31-year-old prominent right-wing political commentator was shot in the neck 20 minutes into the Utah Campus student-sponsored event, which came as he discussed mass shootings with the audience.
Terrified students barricaded themselves in classrooms while others feld the scene in fear.
Mr Kirk was pronounced dead in hospital around an hour after being taken away by car.
Footage showed what appeared to be a lone figure, dressed in dark clothing, lying on the roof of a university building about 150 yards from where the conservative firebrand was speaking in front the students.
Two men were arrested at the scene but were later released - with cops clarifying they were not suspects but persons of interest.