Charlie Kirk shooting LIVE: Police make disturbing discovery in woodland as hunt continues

Detectives searching for the killer of Charlie Kirk have found a hunting rifle with ammunition inscribed with messages promoting "transgender and anti-fascist ideology", according to police updates. Authorities believe the lethal sniper fired a single deadly shot at 31-year-old Kirk, before leaping from a rooftop overlooking the event at Utah Valley University and disappearing into thick woodland.

The shooting of the conservative political activist has sent shockwaves through the country. US president Donald Trump announced his intention to posthumously honour Mr Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award.

"Charlie was a giant of his generation ... an inspiration to millions of people," Mr Trump said at a 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon on Thursday.

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