The Assassination of Charlie Kirk

On September 10th, 2025, right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at an event at Utah Valley University. He later died at a local hospital, leaving behind his two kids and wife, Erika Kirk.

Why Was He There?- Kirk was at Utah Valley University to address mainly college students as he began his American Comeback Tour. Kirk often toured campuses during the 2024 election cycle and was credited with a vital role in helping President Trump get reelected. Kirk would do these events to debate with people who had differing views from his, mainly democratic voters. UVU was meant to be the start of his 2025 tour.

When He Was Shot- As Kirk was debating with someone on gun violence, he was fatally shot in the neck. He immediately began to tip over onto the ground and was quickly escorted out to a local hospital. Security close to Kirk said he likely died instantly and only had around 30 seconds of consciousness after. Although he regained a pulse at the hospital, he ended up dying shortly after. 

Immediate Response- When Kirk was shot and killed, Democrats and Republicans both united to offer condolences to his friends, family, and anyone else who knew him or worked for him. A pivotal moment in the scheme of the murder is when Dean Withers, a Democrat who shared debates with Kirk in the past, took to social media and started crying about the fact that Kirk died. Although he disagreed with Kirk, Withers understood he shouldn’t have died for his views, even if they were very different from what he believed.  Politicians quickly condemned the political violence and stated that everyone deserves the freedom of speech and that gun violence should not resolve contrasting opinions. The immediate response united people under the idea that he shouldn’t have died, even if he was outspoken and heavily targeted for his views. 

His Wife, Erika- Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s wife, took to Social Media after his death. In a speech, Erika promised to carry on her husband’s legacy and that his fight will be stronger than ever before. She also talked about Kirk’s devoted faith and how she believes he’s “in a better place.” Lastly, she mentions her two kids, ages 3 and 1. She talks about how her 3-year-old daughter asked, “Where’s daddy?” She quickly followed with, “What do you tell a 3-year-old?” With that message, Erika shows the true horror of her husband's murder and how political violence shouldn’t be tolerated anywhere.  Shortly after the speech, she was announced as the new CEO of Turning Point USA, Kirk’s organization, which he founded in 2012.

Kirk’s Memorial- On September 21st, Charlie Kirk’s memorial was held in Arizona at State Farm Stadium. The event received extraordinary security and sparked more of a rally for some rather than a memorial. The event saw speakers that ranged from friends, Turning Point USA workers, Trump Administration members, VP Vance, President Trump, and Erika once again. Many shared a variety of stories about Charlie Kirk, from his hard work at TPUSA to moments with him as a friend and how he was perceived as a good man. The event drew a huge crowd, with many who looked up to Kirk or enjoyed listening to or watching him. The event overall showed his impact on people and how important he was to many. 

The American Comeback Tour- Despite Kirk’s death, Turning Point USA has decided to continue his planned tour, bringing in a variety of popular names to headline the rest of the tour.

October 14th, 2025- The Senate recently passed legislation to make October 14th, 2025, National Remembrance of Charlie Kirk Day.  Whether you agreed or disagreed with his views, there is no place for political violence in America. He was someone's friend, father, or husband. No one should die because of their views, and everyone should feel free to voice their views or opinions on issues they care about.