Erika Kirk forgives the man who killed her husband at Arizona funeral

Erika Kirk forgave the man accused of killing her husband, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, during a funeral service Sunday in Glendale, Arizona. Speaking behind a presidential seal at State Farm Stadium, she told thousands that she forgives the shooter because “he wanted to save young men—just like the one who took his life.” She added that the answer to hate is not hate, but love, as she wore white and fought back tears. Her remarks came during a high-profile, nationally watched service that drew tens of thousands inside the venue and an estimated 130,000 more outside.

Kirk’s widow painted a portrait of her husband’s work and his mission to reach at-risk youth. “He named his organization well. He knew things were not right with America, especially with young people, and that they needed a new direction,” she said of the Turning Point USA founder. “Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the West. The young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith and no reason to live.” She repeated the declaration that “my husband Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life.” Through tears, she invoked a belief greater than the tragedy as the crowd rose for a standing ovation.

In a moment that drew audible emotion from mourners, Erika Kirk spoke of her husband’s character and readiness to sacrifice for his beliefs. “Eleven days ago, God accepted that total surrender from my husband and then called him to his side,” she said, recalling the afternoon of Sept. 10 when she arrived at a Utah hospital to confront the sight of his murdered body. She described the shock, horror and a sorrow she didn’t know existed, but said she could still glimpse the mercy she believes characterized him at the end. “There was something else, too. Even in death I could see the man that I love. I could see the single gray hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about — now he knows, sorry baby.”

She also spoke of Charlie’s legacy and the path he sought to forge for young men. “When you say ‘here I am, lord, use me,’ God will take you up on that. And he did with Charlie,” she said, mournfully reflecting on her husband’s life and his leadership of a conservative student movement that aimed to steer youth away from apathy and anger. Her cadence shifted between admiration and resolve as she recounted his on-campus work and the broader aim to redirect a generation toward a constructive path.

The eulogy touched on religion and forgiveness as central themes. “That young man. That young man. On the cross our savior said, ‘father forgive them for they know not what they do’ — that man, that young man, I forgive him,” she said, directing the moment toward the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. The remarks drew a standing ovation from many in attendance who were moved by the emphasis on mercy rather than retaliation.

The service drew a global audience in person and online, underscoring the reach of Charlie Kirk’s activism. Erika Kirk wore a St. Michael pendant that she has said she continues to wear since the night of the shooting, a blood-stained talisman she told the New York Times she keeps as a reminder of the tragedy and the faith she leaned on in the aftermath. The pendant’s symbolism contrasted with the public mourning and the call for unity that characterized the ceremony.

Behind the scenes, Kirk’s widow had indicated she had urged her husband to take additional security steps in light of the Sept. 10 incident, when he was fatally shot while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University. He had insisted that his security team and other measures were sufficient, a decision she said reflected his optimism and faith rather than fear. The event at State Farm Stadium, which featured a formal setting and a stage surrounded by symbolic decor, emphasized a message of reconciliation that some attendees interpreted as a way to honor a controversial public figure through a different lens.

As the celebrants processed the emotional weight of the day, the magnitude of the gathering highlighted the close-knit family and supporters of Kirk’s movement, as well as those who disagreed with his approach to politics and youth outreach. Observers noted the stark contrast between a funeral ceremony that leaned into forgiveness and a broader national conversation about violence, social power and the role of public figures in shaping a movement.

The service’s tone and Erika Kirk’s statements were widely reported by outlets covering the event, with journalists noting a moment of collective reflection that framed the day as a turning point for her family and for the legacy of Charlie Kirk. While the shooter’s motive and the legal proceedings surrounding the case continue to unfold, the widow’s emphasis on mercy and love offered a different narrative for many attendees and observers.

As the service concluded and hundreds filtered out of State Farm Stadium into a bright Arizona afternoon, attendees carried messages of forgiveness, resilience and a call for unity. The remarks from Erika Kirk — underscored by references to faith, redemption and the hope of steering vulnerable young people away from paths that led to violence — stood in stark relief to the pain of loss and the complexity surrounding Charlie Kirk’s public life.

The gathering served not only as a personal farewell for Charlie Kirk and a tribute to his activism but also as a public moment that framed forgiveness as a central theme of the ceremony. In a moment that resonated across a national audience, Erika Kirk’s message was crystal clear: even in tragedy, the call to love, rather than retaliate, can define a legacy and shape a community's response to violence.