Charlie Kirk memorial service held in Glendale, AZ
Sep 21, 2025, 12:08 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2025, 8:49 am
A makeshift memorial grows in size at the Turning Point USA headquarters after the shooting death at a Utah college last Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and CEO of the organization, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
SALT LAKE CITY – Charlie Kirk’s memorial service was held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ Sunday.
Kirk, a 31-year-old political activist, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Accused shooter Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, now faces seven criminal charges related to the shooting.
Related: Prosecutors intend to seek death penalty for suspected shooter in Charlie Kirk killing
Kirk’s service began just after 12 p.m. MDT, with “Amazing Grace” played on bagpipes.
Larry Arnn, President of Hillsdale College and a self-described friend of Kirk, spoke on the legacy Kirk left behind. He said he would present Charlie and Erika Kirk with “the greatest respect a college can give,” an honorary degree on May 9.
Many of Kirk’s friends spoke about him, and recorded messages from Kirk played from speakers in the stadium.
Among those speaking at Kirk’s funeral was United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Vice President JD Vance took some of his time during the memorial to address political violence.
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and new Turning Point USA CEO, also spoke at the funeral. In her speech she said she is “honored” to take over as CEO of Turning Point USA. She promised that the organization will grow and it will continue to hold debates on college campuses.
She spoke about her husband’s unfinished business.
Erika Kirk also expressed forgiveness for the alleged shooter in her husband’s murder.
After Erika Kirk, President Donald Trump began his speech. He said one of the last things Charlie Kirk said to him was “Please save Chicago.” The president then reaffirmed his commitment to “save Chicago.” These comments come after the Trump Administration said it would begin a major federal immigration enforcement operation in the city.
The president also said his administration will hold a large “medical announcement” on Sept. 22, saying they may have found the “answer to autism.”
