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Charlie Kirk's supporters have been paying tribute to him since he was shot to death on Wednesday ... and, a few of his close friends in Congress are trying to immortalize him on Capitol Hill forever.

12 Republicans in the House of Representatives signed a letter addressed to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson ... which begins by laying out Wednesday's tragic events before highlighting all the good Kirk's done via Turning Point USA.

The letter calls out the political left for creating "a toxic environment where one side finds it acceptable to stoke fear and violence to silence civil dissent" ... then asks Speaker Johnson to direct that a statue of Kirk be placed in the United States Capitol.

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.

The Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. was swarmed by police after a bomb threat was called in.

A DNC spokesperson tells TMZ ... “This afternoon, there was a bomb threat to DNC HQ that was determined to not be credible by the U.S. Capitol Police. Out of an abundance of caution, Capitol Police is conducting an interior sweep of the building. As DNC Chair Ken Martin has said, political violence in every form has no place in our country. We are grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police and DNC building security for responding quickly and professionally.”

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.

Charlie Kirk will receive America's highest civilian honor ... with President Donald Trump announcing he's going to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

POTUS spoke outside the Pentagon on 9/11 to mark the 24th anniversary of that tragedy ... but, he started out by speaking about the conservative commentator who was shot to death Wednesday in Utah.

He called Charlie a giant of his generation, and a champion of liberty ... before adding the administration's thoughts and prayers are with Kirk's family.

Savannah Chrisley is left shaken following the death of her friend, Charlie Kirk ... who she was set to join on tour before he was fatally shot.

As news broke that Kirk had succumbed to his injuries sustained during a shooting at Utah Valley University Wednesday, Chrisley released a video statement on her TikTok account ... where she fought back tears and revealed just how close she was to the conservative pundit.

Watch the vid, Chrisley explained how the Turning Point founder supported her amid her work to free parents Todd and Julie Chrisley from prison the past couple years -- the couple was pardoned by President Donald Trump this past spring after being convicted for tax evasion and fraud back in 2022.

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.

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.”

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."

Rep. Melanie Stansbury says President Trump and top Republicans are working together to prevent the public from getting to the bottom of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The Congresswoman from New Mexico joined us on "TMZ Live" Wednesday and we asked her about the Trump references in the Epstein birthday book that was just released by Congress.

Stansbury, a Democrat, says Trump has known what Epstein's been about for decades ... and she says the President is now working to prevent the full release of all the Epstein files.

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.

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.

Charlie Kirk made plenty of friends and enemies over the course of his life in politics, which began when he was just a kid.

The political commentator went from authoring pieces for right-wing media outlets to becoming one of the most prominent conservative commentators out there ... which didn't always bring him positive attention.

We're going to take a look into the background of the media figure and see what led up to the violent events of September 10, 2025.

Kirk was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois, located in the suburbs of Chicago, and he was raised in nearby Prospect Heights.

The commentator's involvement with politics began in his early years, as he volunteered for former Republican senator Mark Kirk when he was in high school.

He went on to write a story for right-wing media outlet Breitbart News alleging teenagers had been indoctrinated with liberal textbooks, according to the New York Times.

Kirk briefly pursued higher education at Harper College, a community college in Palatine, Illinois, but he dropped out without completing his degree.

Kirk's article for Breitbart brought him to the attention of entrepreneur Bill Montgomery, and the pair cofounded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to popularizing conservative ideologies with high school and college students, in 2012.

The commentator's public profile rose after he began making appearances on college campuses, where he would challenge students to debates centered on hot-button political issues.

Kirk later started a podcast, "The Charlie Kirk Show," and he grew close to several prominent conservative figures over the years, including President and president Donald Trump. He also spoke in favor of Trump during the 2020 and 2024 Republican National Conventions.

He also authored several books over the course of his career, many of which were dedicated to covering the same topics Turning Point USA prioritized.

Kirk was shot while making an appearance at Utah Valley University, located in Orem, Utah, in September 2025.

The commentator was taking part in a Q&A session as part of his "American Comeback" tour when he was suddenly shot in the neck after finishing a statement.

He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was listed as being in critical condition before he died.

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.