Charlie Kirk's killer left hunting rifle with 'transgender ideology' engraved ammo

Detectives hunting the assassin who murdered Charlie Kirk have discovered a hunting rifle with ammunition bearing sinister engravings promoting "transgender and anti-fascist ideology", according to explosive internal law enforcement updates.

Authorities believe the deadly sniper unleashed a single fatal shot at Kirk, 31, the influential conservative campaigner and trusted Donald Trump ally, before leaping off a rooftop overlooking the event at Utah Valley University, then vanishing through dense woodland, reports The Telegraph.

The brutal assassination of such a prominent figure in Mr Trump's inner circle has sent devastating shockwaves through a nation already torn apart by escalating political violence and dangerous divisions. The news emerges alongside this report: I'm a security expert and I warned Charlie Kirk he would be '100% killed' - I got no reply.

The US president announced he would posthumously honour Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's most prestigious civilian award.

"Charlie was a giant of his generation ... an inspiration to millions of people," Mr Trump declared at a solemn anniversary event commemorating the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

FBI launches massive manhunt with huge reward

On Thursday, the FBI announced they were offering a staggering $100,000 (£74,000) reward for information leading to an arrest and released two dramatic photos of a suspect.

The chilling video grabs revealed a man, apparently young, wearing a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved black shirt that appeared to be decorated with an eagle superimposed over an American flag.

Investigators uncover deadly weapon cache

Detectives confirmed they were scrutinizing video footage of the killer and had recovered a high-powered, bolt-action rifle they believe was used in the assassination.

A shocking law-enforcement bulletin circulated online revealed the rifle was concealed in a towel with a spent cartridge still lodged in the chamber, and three unused rounds all bearing sinister markings.

Sources confirmed the explosive details to The Wall Street Journal.

Transgender motive theory emerges

The pro-transgender inscriptions hint at a possible twisted motive for the killing, occurring less than two weeks after the horrific murder of two children in Minneapolis during a mass shooting perpetrated by a transgender gunman.

However, a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation cautioned The New York Times that the report had not been verified by analysts, and contradicted other assessments of evidence gathered.

The official urged extreme caution and warned the inscriptions could have been misread or misinterpreted in such a rapidly-developing investigation.

Killer struck during transgender debate topic

Kirk was gunned down on the opening day of his America Comeback Tour, moments after fielding a question on the controversial subject of transgender gunmen.

Seconds later, he collapsed backwards in his seat after being struck by the deadly bullet.