The late right-wing political commentator was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
Erika Kirk, wife of Charlie Kirk, has broken her silence in the wake of her husband’s murder.
The 31-year-old political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed on Wednesday, Sept. 10, while speaking at Utah Valley University during a nationwide college tour hosted by his organization. Authorities believe the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah, opened fire from the roof of a student services building nearly 200 yards away from the event.
Erika, 36, addressed the public during a press conference on Friday, Sept. 12, where she expressed her gratitude to local, state, and federal law enforcement. She also extended thanks to Charlie’s “dear friend,” Vice President JD Vance, and his “phenomenal wife,” Usha Vance, “for their love and support.” In addition, she thanked former President Donald Trump for both his friendship with Charlie and his personal support during this tragedy.
“Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith,” Erika said.
“Most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart,” she continued. “My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children.”
She added that Charlie often told her that, if he ever chose to run for office, his top priority would be reviving the American family. She then confirmed that Charlie’s American Comeback Tour will still continue in the fall.
“I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t,” Erika admitted. “All the evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done.”
She also shared the heartbreaking way she explained the tragedy to their 3-year-old daughter. Recently, the little girl asked, “Where’s Daddy?”
Charlie Kirk in July 2024.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
“What do you tell a three-year-old? She’s three,” Erika said, holding back tears. “I told her, ‘Baby, Daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus, so he can afford your blueberry budget.’”
Concluding her remarks, Erika offered her gratitude: “Thank you all again, who love my husband, who supported him, who wrote him an email every single day during his radio show—he read all of them, all of them. God bless you all. And God bless America.”
Erika and Charlie first met in 2018. They became engaged in December 2020 and were married in May 2021. During their four-year marriage, the couple welcomed two children: a daughter in August 2022 and a son in May 2024. Charlie’s death came just weeks after he and Erika celebrated their daughter’s third birthday.
Matt Lamb, a former Turning Point USA official, told People following Kirk’s death, “He loved his wife and loved his kids. You could just tell by the way he talked about them. Certainly, he has a more important legacy than Turning Point in his wife and his two kids. His legacy will live on through that.”
Meanwhile, suspected gunman Tyler Robinson is being held on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice.
Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk on May 15, 2025.
Charlie Kirk/Instagram
In Utah, prosecutors may seek the death penalty in aggravated murder cases if certain criteria are met. According to the probable cause affidavit filed in Robinson’s case, the alleged gunman is accused of “shooting Charlie Kirk in a circumstance that put many around him at grave risk of death.”
Robinson is scheduled to be formally charged on Tuesday, Sept. 16—the same day as his arraignment, during which he will enter a plea. While he could pursue a plea deal to avoid capital punishment, a conviction at trial could result in a death sentence. In Utah, executions are carried out by lethal injection, though a firing squad may be used if the necessary drugs are unavailable.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox explained during the Sept. 12 press conference that Robinson was identified after a relative confided in a family friend that Robinson had either confessed or strongly implied responsibility for the shooting. That friend then reported the information to authorities.
“I want to thank the family members of Tyler Robinson, who did the right thing in this case,” Cox said.
Cox also confirmed that Robinson had spoken about Kirk’s upcoming appearance at a family dinner. “They talked about why they didn’t like him and the viewpoints he had,” Cox explained, adding that Robinson had accused Kirk of being “full of hate and spreading hate.”