Daily Caller
‘You Have No Idea What You Have Unleashed’: Erika Kirk Addresses Supporters For First Time Since Kirk’s Assassination
From the Daily Caller News Foundation
By Hailey Gomez
Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, addressed supporters Friday evening for the first time since her husband’s assassination, saying that her late husband’s movement will “never surrender.”
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Wednesday while debating students at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Speaking for the first time since the fatal attack, Erika Kirk thanked those who have supported her and her late husband, including both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, as well as other officials.
“I honestly have no idea what any of this means. I know that God does, but I don’t. But Charlie, baby, I know you do too. So does our Lord. And our world is filled with evil, but our God, you guys, our God is so good, so incredibly good. And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” Erika said. “Already, I have seen the worldwide outpouring of love for my husband. I’ve heard the testimonies from people my husband inspired to get married, to start families, to seek out a relationship with God. It’s the most important, most important one of all.”
“The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God’s merciful love. They should all know this,” Erika added. “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country and this world. You have no idea. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”
Kirk, who regularly spoke at college campuses to debate students on their political beliefs, made his latest stop in Utah, with videos online showing the campus packed with attendees. About 20 minutes into speaking with students, a shot rang out through the crowd, hitting Kirk.
WATCH:
Security rushed the TPUSA founder to the hospital, where he was initially reported to be in stable condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
After a nearly two-day manhunt, authorities announced Friday that Kirk’s suspected killer 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was officially arrested after a family friend reported Robinson to authorities Thursday evening.
Officials said bullet casings from the rifle that was used contained a series of phrases such as “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “If you read this you are gay LMAO.” A third bullet casing also had the engraving of ““bella ciao,” which matches an Italian song name that became a left-wing anthem during World War II.
Erika Kirk went on to say that she refuses to let the movement of TPUSA “die,” adding she will make sure it becomes “stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever.”
“And I love knowing that one of his, one of his mottos was never surrender. So I want to tell you that, that we’ll never surrender. We never will. Ever. Our campus tour this fall will continue. There will be even more tours in the years to come. America Fest here in Phoenix this December will go on. It will be greater than ever. The radio and podcast show that he was so proud of will go on,” Erika said. “And in a world filled with chaos, doubt, and uncertainty, my husband’s voice will remain. And it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever. And his wisdom will endure.”
“My favorite, my favorite too, but my husband’s favorite word in the English language was earn. He would call all of you to be people of action who earn the future America deserves. So to all of the young people who felt inspired by my husband’s faith and hard work, all of you already know what Charlie would want you to do,” Erika said.
Kirk’s wife told supporters to continue their on-campus involvement, attend the upcoming TPUSA events, and “most important of all,” get involved in a “Bible believing church.”
“Our battle is not simply a political one. Above all, it is spiritual. It is spiritual. The spiritual warfare is palpable,” Erika added.
WATCH:
Before ending, Erika Kirk recalled how her daughter asked where Kirk had been, telling her that he’s now “on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.” She then thanked supporters once again, adding, “God bless you all, and God bless America.”
Since Kirk’s death, supporters, political figures and friends have spoken out, while some Democrats have openly cheered the loss of the TPUSA founder. Vance shared on X late Wednesday how Kirk had impacted life, recalling their friendship beginning in 2017.
Trump also expressed grief, writing on Truth Social that no one “understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.” By Thursday, Trump announced he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people. Our prayers are with his wonderful wife Erika and his beautiful children. Fantastic people they are,” Trump said. “We miss him greatly. I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Crime
Former NYPD Inspector Shares What Family Of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assassin Feared Before Turning Him In
From the Daily Caller News Foundation
Authorities identified the suspected shooter in Kirk’s assassination as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, after a family friend tipped off law enforcement Thursday evening. In an appearance on “Kudlow,” Mauro laid out what he called the timeline of the suspect’s escape and subsequent surrender.
“By the end of 9-11, the father has called a retired U.S. Marshal. This town down south, St. George, has a lot of retirees. It’s kind of a retirement community. He knew this guy. He calls that guy and tells him, ‘My son is the perpetrator,’” Mauro told Larry Kudlow. “Unclear if the son had admitted it or not. But apparently what was going on is that the family was concerned that if they didn’t turn him in, somebody else was going to, and it was a fear that they could be, as the police call it, a kinetic entry.”
Mauro said the family of the alleged Kirk assassin feared a violent confrontation if authorities discovered his location first, prompting them to arrange a peaceful surrender.
WATCH:
“That is to say, the cops come booming the doors, taking them in a rougher way, and maybe something goes sideways. The kid could get hurt or worse. So they wanted to prevent that. The family wanted to make sure that this was done orderly. They knew that the gig was up and that he was going to get arrested. They then went with either this second person, the retiree, or a minister. And a minister in Latter-day Saints is different from ministers that you and I think about.”
Mauro said the suspect’s family bypassed traditional law enforcement channels and brought him directly to the Washington County Jail.
“It’s a much more immediate relationship. Some sort of crew like this went to the sheriff’s office. And that’s why he was in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. That’s a jail. They run the jails,” Mauro said. “They went right to the jail, gave them up to the Washington County Sheriff. There must have been some connection there. Somebody knew somebody. They took him in. The sheriff notifies the task force, and you know the rest.”
Authorities say Robinson fatally shot Kirk as he spoke to students at Utah Valley University. After recognizing his son in photos released by investigators, Robinson’s father confronted the 22-year-old and alerted law enforcement, according to sources cited by the New York Post.
Robinson reportedly told his father he’d rather take his own life than surrender, according to the outlet. His father urged him to speak with their youth pastor, who happened to be affiliated with the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force.
Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Friday that investigators discovered taunting and vulgar phrases etched onto the shell casings used in the shooting such as “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “If you read this you are gay LMAO.” Another inscription referenced “bella ciao,” a wartime Italian folk song later adopted by leftist resistance movements, according to George Mason University.
Quick Hit:
A suspect is in custody for the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University. President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest Friday, crediting a tip from someone close to the suspect.
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, has been named as the suspect in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. According to breaking news reports, he was turned in by his father, who apparently saw video surveillance images of his son.
Key Details:
- The shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday while Kirk, 31, was speaking with students under a tent on campus. A single bullet struck him in the neck, prompting chaos as students and attendees scrambled for cover.
- President Trump said Friday on Fox & Friends that authorities were confident they had the right person, noting, “Essentially, someone who knew him turned him in.” Trump praised the work of investigators and called for the death penalty if the suspect is convicted.
- The shooter is believed to have fired from a rooftop about 200 yards away, likely atop Utah Valley University’s Losee Center. The FBI recovered a high-powered bolt-action rifle, along with prints and surveillance footage that helped track the suspect.
🚨 BREAKING: Trump says with a “high degree of certainty” Charlie Kirk’s assassin is in custody. pic.twitter.com/MMXkujgAg5
— MxM News (@mxmnews) September 12, 2025
Diving Deeper:
Police in Orem, Utah, announced Friday they had taken a suspect into custody in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was gunned down during a campus event earlier this week. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder had been invited to Utah Valley University by the school’s TPUSA chapter, where he hosted a midday Q&A session with students on political and cultural issues.
A single shot rang out Wednesday, striking Kirk in the neck as horrified witnesses rushed for safety. Videos from the scene showed Kirk collapsing from his chair as attendees screamed and fled. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest Friday morning in a Fox & Friends interview, saying investigators were “highly confident” they had apprehended the gunman. Trump revealed that the suspect had been turned in by someone close to him, aided by a U.S. Marshals Service member, a minister, and the suspect’s own father. “They drove into the police headquarters, and he’s there now,” Trump said, adding that he hopes prosecutors pursue the death penalty if the suspect is convicted.
Law enforcement officials previously released surveillance footage of a man dressed in black running from the scene. The gunman is believed to have fired from a rooftop perch on the Losee Center building, roughly 200 yards from where Kirk was speaking. FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said a bolt-action rifle was recovered along the suspect’s escape route, along with a palm print, a footprint, and a forearm impression.
Investigators also seized a surveillance camera from a nearby home, where footage reportedly showed someone cutting through backyards after the shooting. Officials have not yet publicly identified the suspect or announced charges.
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