Weapons & Guns

Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter scrawled political messages on the equipment brought to the murder scene ... expressing support for the transgender community while making antifascist remarks.

A bulletin -- posted online by conservative commentator Steven Crowder -- was sent around to agents in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. We've confirmed the authenticity of the bulletin with our federal law enforcement sources.

In the message, the ATF claims "All cartridges have engraved wording on them, expressing transgender and anti-fascist ideology." It does not get more specific as to what the messages say.

The adolescent shooter who pumped bullets into 2 fellow classmates in Colorado is a 16-year-old who looks even younger ... a kid who was reportedly "radicalized."

Desmond Holly was identified by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office as the pistol-packing assailant who shot the students Wednesday at Evergreen High School, according to police. The Sheriff posted a pic showing Holly's boyish mug with sandy hair and acne on his face.

Cops say Holly shot one victim inside the school and the other outside before turning the revolver on himself and ending his short life.

Charlie Kirk's shooting almost didn't seem real at first to one attendee ... who was in line to ask the conservative commentator a question when he was shot through the neck.

We spoke with Robert Carpenter, who went to the event Wednesday specifically to debate Kirk. Robert's not a Utah Valley University student ... he does on-the-street interviews with people -- and likes to ask UVU attendees questions when he's in town.

Carpenter says he and his buddy gave a woman in line $40 to cut her ... and, they were around fifth or sixth in line to ask a question.

Charlie Kirk's shooting death led to a hasty evacuation of the Utah Valley University campus ... and, a drone camera captured the deserted quad shortly after the incident.

New video taken from the sky shows the area ... first focused on the tent under which Kirk was sitting when he was shot in the neck at the school.

Trash and other debris sit scattered on the steps surrounding the pop-up canopy ... before the drone flies over to the roof where the shooter allegedly fired at Charlie, about 200 yards away.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Law enforcement is still searching for the person who shot Charlie Kirk, and new video might show the shooter's vantage point, as well as their escape from the scene.

This clip is making the rounds on social media right now ... and, it begins right after the fatal shot was fired as the assembled masses at Utah Valley University in Orem watch Charlie go down.

In the far background of the video -- atop a campus building -- it appears a figure is running from the area.

The Utah Valley University men's soccer game scheduled for later Wednesday has been canceled ... after Charlie Kirk was shot on campus.

The school just announced the move ... explaining in a statement its tilt with UC Davis will not go forward "due to the active police situation" at the university.

The game "will not be made up," UVU officials announced.

1:36 PM PT -- Fox13 Salt Lake City has spoken with an official from the University who said the school has surveillance video of the shooter leaving campus.

1:27 PM PT -- A spokesperson for the University is changing their tune on whether the suspect is in custody. First, the rep said the man was in custody ... now the rep is saying he's not under arrest and has been released.

12:49 PM PT -- Kirk is in critical condition at the hospital, the Associated Press reports, citing a law enforcement official with knowledge.

12:19 PM PT -- Turning Point USA tells TMZ ... "This is an ongoing situation. We can confirm that Charlie Kirk has been shot. He is in the hospital, and we are praying for him at this time."

Charlie Kirk -- the controversial conservative activist -- has apparently been shot.

Kirk was appearing at Utah Valley University Wednesday when a shot rang out. Kirk was addressing a large crowd of students at the time. It appears thousands of students were watching Kirk when the shot rang out.

Kirk was shot in the neck. Just as the shot rang out, you see Kirk clutches his upper chest area. We have seen video of the impact and it is extremely graphic.

1:43 PM PT -- Donald Trump has issued a new statement, claiming Charlie Kirk has died following Wednesday's shooting at Utah Valley University.

He wrote on Truth Social ... "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

Washington D.C. is left rattled following the shooting of conservative pundit Charlie Kirk ... with several leaders speaking out in the aftermath of the violence.

As we reported ... the Turning Point USA founder was shot in the neck while addressing students at Utah Valley University on Wednesday ... and it didn't take long for politicians from both sides to condemn the attack.

Senator Mike Lee from Utah was one of the first to speak out, assuring his constituents that he was "tracking the situation" and calling for prayers for the conservative commentator.