Erika Kirk Shares 3-Word Message to Alleged Killer at Husband Charlie’s Memorial Service

At State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, more than 90,000 people gathered to mourn Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated on September 10, 2025. The public memorial drew a massive audience both in person and online, but it was the words of his widow, Erika Kirk, that gave the event its most poignant and unforgettable moments.

Taking the stage before a grieving nation, Erika delivered a eulogy that blended private memories, searing grief, and remarkable grace. She began by recalling the morning of her husband’s death, describing their final text exchange and the ordinary rhythm of a day that would end in tragedy. In one of the tenderest details, she shared a secret she had kept from him in life—how she once spotted a single gray hair on his head and chose never to mention it. That confession, small yet intimate, reminded the audience of the simple humanity behind the larger-than-life figure.

Erika then recounted the moment she learned of the shooting while on a flight, bracing herself as updates reached her midair. Upon landing and rushing to the hospital, she chose to see her husband’s body. What she found was not horror but a kind of peace: his expression, she said, was calm, almost comforting, as though he had not suffered. That memory, she told the crowd, gave her strength to carry on.

Perhaps the most striking moment of her eulogy came when Erika turned to the subject of forgiveness. Standing before tens of thousands, she declared that she forgave the individual responsible for her husband’s death. It was a statement that stunned many, transforming grief into a message of mercy and underscoring the depth of her faith. Her words shifted the atmosphere from anger and despair toward a fragile sense of hope and resilience.

The tragedy itself unfolded at Utah Valley University on September 10, when Charlie was fatally shot around 12:20 p.m. while addressing an audience of more than 3,000 people. Initial confusion led some attendees to believe the gunshot was part of a performance. Within moments, panic spread through the hall as the reality became clear and students scrambled for cover. Law enforcement responded swiftly, but the identity of the shooter remains unknown. Officials have cautioned that the attacker may have had advanced training, intensifying national concern over the possibility of targeted political violence.

The impact of Kirk’s death reverberated far beyond the campus. National leaders, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, issued statements of condolence and praised his role in shaping a generation of conservative activists. President Trump called the murder a “heinous assassination” and a tragic moment for the United States, ordering flags to half-staff nationwide in recognition of the loss.

Charlie Kirk’s death has left a profound void in the conservative movement. Through Turning Point USA, his books, and his frequent campus tours, he built a wide-reaching network that energized young conservatives across the country. Admirers described him as both a strategist and a motivator, someone who challenged the status quo and created platforms for others to rise. His absence leaves a vacuum that will not be easily filled, even as his supporters pledge to continue the work he began.

At the memorial, that commitment to carry forward his mission was woven into Erika’s words. Her eulogy was not only a farewell but also a call to preserve her husband’s legacy through perseverance, unity, and faith. For the tens of thousands listening in Glendale—and the countless others watching online—her voice became a powerful reminder that even in the face of violent loss, love and conviction endure.