The FBI has revealed a chilling new detail in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA: the bullets used to fatally shoot him bore engraved messages. Kirk, 31, was shot on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University, turning a campus event into a national tragedy. Investigators recovered a .30 caliber bolt-action rifle near the campus, wrapped in a towel and still loaded with three unused bullets—each carrying ideological inscriptions.
Authorities described the engravings as “highly unusual,” linked to transgender and antifascist themes. Though the exact wording remains undisclosed, officials believe the inscriptions may offer crucial insight into the shooter’s motives or affiliations. This detail adds a disturbing layer to an already shocking attack that many have labeled a political assassination.
Surveillance footage traced the suspect’s movements before and after the shooting. Described as a college-aged male wearing black clothing and aviator sunglasses, the assailant climbed to the roof of the Losee Center to fire the single fatal shot before fleeing into nearby neighborhoods and woods. Despite clear video evidence, law enforcement has withheld images to protect the ongoing investigation.
Forensic teams are meticulously analyzing fingerprints, shoe prints, and tool marks on the bullets to determine how the inscriptions were made. Officials are considering whether the engravings were hand-carved or machine-etched, which could indicate the level of planning involved and possible connections to extremist groups or networks.
Kirk’s final moments also drew intense focus. When asked about mass shootings, he responded, “Too many,” before adding, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Seconds later, the fatal shot was fired. His death sparked condemnation across the political spectrum, with former President Donald Trump calling Kirk “a truly great and legendary patriot” and ordering flags to be lowered nationwide.
With over 130 tips flooding in to the FBI, the investigation is ongoing. The discovery of the engraved bullets has transformed this case into one of the most politically charged assassinations in recent U.S. history, raising urgent questions about extremism, ideology, and violence in America today.
