Charlie Kirk Shooting

The FBI has recovered a "high-powered bolt-action rifle" near the campus of Utah Valley University following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk at his "The American Comeback" tour stop on Wednesday.

Robert Bohls, the FBI special agent in charge, revealed the news in a press conference Thursday morning, adding the weapon was located in a wooded area.

He also told media investigators have collected a palm imprint, a forearm imprint and a "footwear impression" belonging to the suspect -- a male -- that will be sent for analysis.

Pat McAfee is weighing in on Charlie Kirk's death ... saying politics aside, it's "startling, saddening and maddening" for someone to lose their life over their opinions.

The ESPN talent and host released a lengthy statement on Wednesday ... hours after the Turning Point USA founder was assassinated, while hosting an event at Utah Valley University.

"I've realized that I’m a bit naive to how crazy it all has become but watching a man get hunted and slayed in broad daylight because of his opinions made me disgusted and devastated," McAfee said.

MSNBC has cut ties with political analyst Matthew Dowd ... following his controversial on-air remarks moments after Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University, TMZ has confirmed.

ICYMI ... Dowd was asked about "the environment in which a shooting like this happens" -- and he pointed to Kirk, saying, "He’s been one of the most divisive ... who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions."

He went on to say ... "You can’t stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And that’s the unfortunate environment we are in.”

Charlie Kirk was loving every minute of his college campus tour, was in great spirits and never indicated he had any concerns about his personal safety ... according to a friend who talked to the conservative activist the day before he was fatally shot in the neck in Utah.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Charlie talked to a buddy for about 20 minutes over the phone Tuesday, and during the call Charlie was looking forward to his upcoming Turning Point USA events and speaking opportunities.

We're told Charlie never voiced any concerns about his safety while on the road ... and in extensive conversations with his friend, Kirk had never once spoken about his personal safety, at a public event or anywhere else.

The New York Yankees honored Charlie Kirk just before their game Wednesday ... remembering his life with a jumbotron message and a moment of silence.

The Yankee Stadium homage came just hours after Kirk was shot and killed while he was speaking with students and others on the Utah Valley University campus about political issues.

New York officials put up his picture on the team's centerfield scoreboard ... and added the words, "Remembering Charlie Kirk."

Stephen Colbert opened "The Late Show" Wednesday with a somber note, paying respect to Charlie Kirk following his death and sending his condolences to his family and loved ones.

He also shared a sobering message with viewers, noting Wednesday's senseless shooting is reminiscent to the political violence he viewed in the 1960s.

He said ... "I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences. Political violence only leads to more political violence, and I pray with all my heart that this is the abhorrent action of a madman and not a sign of things to come."

Donald Trump gave an Oval Office address on Wednesday night lamenting the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk ... and warning that anyone involved with the political assassination would be brought to justice.

The president started his addresses by noting Charlie loved the country and was a deeply religious person who had a beautiful family ... before he turned his ire on liberals who he accused of creating violence with hateful rhetoric.

Calling him a "Martyr for Freedom" ... Trump said he lived and died for the values that are the bedrock of America, including free speech and the rule of law.

We want to address something that happened during our TMZ Livestream coverage of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

As Harvey and Charles were reporting the developments in our newsroom, there were employees in another part of the building watching a car chase.

The people watching that car chase began laughing and clapping in reaction to what they were seeing, but we want to make it clear ... they were not cheering in response to the assassination.

Nevertheless ... watching a car chase at that moment was tone deaf, and the sounds of laughter at that crucial moment were totally out of line.

TMZ has uncovered the chilling dispatch audio from the shooting of Charlie Kirk Wednesday.

Take a listen to the audio -- you can hear responders briefing their counterparts over the radio ... alerting that an individual had been shot at Utah Valley University and the location of the shooter is unknown.

It sounds like another person was injured during the chaos that ensued after shots rang out at the political activist's "American Comeback" Tour with Turning Point USA, and responders confirm officers are following the victim -- Charlie -- to the hospital.

2:22 PM PT -- Turning Point USA tells TMZ ... "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gun shot that took place during Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour” campus event at Utah Valley University on September 10th, 2025.

May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie. We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers. We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity in this time."

Charlie Kirk -- the controversial conservative commentator -- has died after being shot in the neck on a college campus, Donald Trump announced on social media.

POTUS made the announcement on his site Truth Social Wednesday afternoon, claiming Kirk had died after sustaining injuries from a shooting at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, UT.

As you know ... Kirk was shot around 1 PM local time at a Q&A with students where hundreds of people, including some protesters, had gathered.

Charlie Kirk earned himself plenty of supporters over the course of his life ... including his wife of several years, Erika Kirk.

The conservative commentator and his wife had been together for several years and had started a family prior to his death in September 2025.

We're going to take a look into the background of the media figure's spouse and see how they built a life together before he was fatally shot on a college campus.

Erika's originally from Arizona, and she began participating in beauty pageants in her home state at an early age.

She was named the runner-up during the Miss Arizona USA 2011 competition, and she went on to win the competition the following year.

Erika competed in the 2012 Miss USA competition, although she ultimately lost to Olivia Culpo.

She remained in her home state for college, and she earned degrees in political science and international relations from Arizona State University. She later headed to Liberty University, where she earned a juris master in American Legal Studies.

Erika gave a bit of insight into her relationship with Kirk in a post shared on her Instagram account in 2023, when she revealed they'd first crossed paths five years earlier.

The pair dated for several years before they tied the knot during a wedding ceremony in May 2021.

Charlie and Erika started their family with the birth of their daughter, which took place the following August.

The political commentator and his wife expanded their family when the latter gave birth to a son in May 2024.

Erika became a widow in September 2025, when her husband was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Her husband was speaking with students from the university when he was suddenly shot in the neck while answering a question about transgender mass shooters.

Charlie was later transported to a hospital, where he was initially listed as being in critical condition before he died.

5:15 PM PT -- The person of interest connected to the Charlie Kirk fatal shooting is no longer in custody ... they've been released after talking to law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel just posted on social media, "The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency."

A person of interest connected to the Charlie Kirk shooting is in custody ... according officials in Utah.

At the press conference in Utah moments ago, Utah Governor Spencer Cox clarified that they have a person of interest in custody.

Shortly before the press conference, FBI Director Kash Patel posted to social media ... claiming a suspect was in custody.