Rifle used in Charlie Kirk’s assassination was a gift from alleged shooter’s family, Utah County District Attorney says

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — As charges were filed Tuesday by the Utah County District Attorney, more information has been released about the origins of the rifle used to shoot and kill Charlie Kirk.

On Sept. 16, 2025, Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray announced charges being filed against Tyler Robinson for the alleged shooting of Charlie Kirk, including that of aggravated murder.

Finding the rifle

“Law enforcement officers followed the suspect’s escape path to the northeast end of campus, where they believe the suspect left campus and entered a wooded area,” Gray said in a press conference Tuesday. “In that wooded area, investigators found a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel.”

Investigation details released after Robinson’s arrest on Sept. 12 revealed the rifle to be a Mauser 98 30-06 rifle with one spent round and three unspent rounds.

Robinson’s father believed the description of the rifle that was found matched a rifle given to Tyler as a gift. Gray says Robinson’s father then asked his son for a photo of the rifle. However, he did not respond.

Messages with romantic partner

During Tuesday’s press conference, Gray also released message conversations between Robinson and his romantic partner, which contained information about the rifle used in the assassination.

“I had planned to grab my rifle from my drop point shortly after, but most of that side of town got locked down,” Robinson allegedly told his partner. “If I am able to grab my rifle on scene I will have left no evidence.”

Robinson is then believed to have been unable to recover the rifle due to a squad car being parked near the drop point. “I’m worried what my old man would do if I didn’t bring back grandpa’s rifle,” he said. “Idek if it has a serial number, but it wouldn’t trace to me.”

“I worry about prints I had to leave it in a bush where I changed outfits… I might have to abandon it and hope they don’t find prints,” the text conversation reads. “Judging from today, I’d say grandpa’s gun does just fine idk. I think that was a 2k dollar scope,” followed by a”crying” emoticon.

“My dad wants photos with the rifle. He says grandpa wants to know who has what,” Robinson added. “Ever since Trump got into office, [my dad] has been pretty die-hard MAGA.”

During a search warrant on Robinson’s residence, officers found several targets with bullet holes as well as a shell casing similar to those found near the rifle believed to have been used in the shooting.

Inscriptions on shell casings

Four casings were found with inscriptions near the rifle. These inscriptions seemed to reference online “meme” culture. One fired casing contained an inscription that read, “Notices Bulge OWO what’s this?”

Inscriptions on one of the three unfired casings read, “Hey fascist! CATCH!” with the following symbols: up arrow, right arrow, and three down arrows.

The arrow sequence is possibly connected to the 2024 video game “Helldivers 2,” well-known among players as the way to “call-in” the “Eagle 500kg Bomb.” Typing those arrows in the game will summon a bomb that creates a large explosion. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the meaning of this sequence.

A second, unfired casing, said, “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao.” A third casing inscription read, “If you read This, you are GAY Lmao.”

“Bella ciao” likely refers to an Italian protest song that was adopted in the 1940s by the anti-fascist resistance during Benito Mussolini’s time in power.

Political leanings

Robinson’s mother reportedly told police that her son had become “more political” over the last year and had become more “pro-gay and trans-rights oriented.” She also told law enforcement that Robinson was dating a roommate, a “biological male who was transitioning genders.”

His mother also stated that, in a conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned Charlie Kirk’s event at UVU and said it was a “stupid venue” and accused him of spreading hate.

Ava Hart and Sorina Trauntvein contributed to this reporting.