Charlie Kirk memorial updates: 'I forgive him,' Erika Kirk says of alleged shooter

President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr."

Last Updated: September 21, 2025, 7:22 PM EDT

Charlie Kirk was remembered as a "martyr" and "warrior" by some of the leading lights of the conservative movement, the Trump administration, friends as well as his grieving widow during a packed memorial service in Arizona Sunday.

As President Trump and others noted, the service felt more like a "revival" rather than a memorial, and Kirk's connection to and efforts for his Christian faith were on full display throughout. Kirk was recalled for the movement among young conservatives that he helped spark, his willingness to debate and his fearlessness in the face of threats.

In a poignant moment, Kirk's widow, Erika said that she forgives her husband's alleged assassin.

Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.

Sep 21, 2025, 4:40 PM EDT

Stephen Miller delivers heated remarks: 'We are the storm'

White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller delivered heated remarks, as the several Trump administration officials begin to speak at the service.

"We are the storm," Miller said.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

"They cannot imagine what they have awakened. They cannot conceive of the army that they have arisen in all of us because we stand for what is good, what is virtuous, what is noble," Miller said. "And to those trying to incite violence against us, those trying to foment hatred against us, what do you have? You have nothing. You are nothing."

"You have no idea the dragon you have awakened," Miller added. "You have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic."

The White House deputy chief of staff spoke at the memorial service called Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk.
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Charlie Kirk's death has 'awakened a dragon': Stephen MillerThe White House deputy chief of staff spoke at the memorial service called Building a Legacy, Remembering Charlie Kirk.
ABCNews.com
Sep 21, 2025, 4:39 PM EDT

Charlie Kirk was 'all Trump': Sergio Gor

Nominee for U.S Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said Charlie Kirk "always marched forward" and was "all Trump."

Whenever President Donald Trump "had an idea," Gor said, Kirk was "always willing to make it happen."

White House Presidential Personnel Office Director Sergio Gor speaks at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz.
Carlos Barria/Reuters

"If you believe in America, stand up. If you believe Charlie Kirk represented the best of us, stand up," Gor said.

Sep 21, 2025, 4:29 PM EDT

Remembrance video highlights Kirk's legacy, last moments at UVU

A remembrance video of Kirk showed footage of him and his family, as well as his work with Turning Point USA. It was narrated by his wife, Erika, and featured previous remarks from Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump.

The video also showed footage from Kirk's campus event at Utah Valley University, including the crowd chanting "Charlie Kirk" and Kirk sitting down inside the tent where he was fatally shot.

People embrace during a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

Sep 21, 2025, 4:24 PM EDT

Patel says FBI investigating 'possibility of accomplices' in Kirk shooting

During Charlie Kirk's memorial service, FBI Director Kash Patel posted an update on the investigation of Kirk's assassination, saying the FBI is "pursuing every lead."

Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with Kirk's murder, but Patel said the FBI is looking into the "possibility of accomplices."

Tyler James Robinson attends a virtual court hearing from Utah County Jail, September 16, 2025 in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Utah State Courts via Getty Images

"We are meticulously investigating theories and questions, including the location from where the shot was taken, the possibility of accomplices, the text message confession and related conversations, Discord chats, the angle of the shot and bullet impact, how the weapon was transported, hand gestures observed as potential 'signals' near Charlie at the time of his assassination, and visitors to the alleged shooter's residence in the hours and days leading up to September 10, 2025," Patel said in a post on X.

"The entire FBI mourns the loss of Charlie Kirk. We will not rest until justice is served, and our investigation into this assassination will continue until every question is answered," Patel said.

Robinson was charged with numerous offenses, including aggravated murder, with prosecutors last week announcing their intent to seek the death penalty.

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