Frank Turek recounts being 25 feet away as Charlie Kirk was shot at Arizona memorial service
Thousands attend Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Glendale as family and faith leaders reflect on his life and legacy
A memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk drew tens of thousands of mourners Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as friends, family and political leaders gathered to celebrate his life. Christian author Frank Turek delivered an emotional tribute, recounting that he was just 25 feet away when Kirk was fatally shot Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, and describing the moments that followed.
Turek recalled stepping toward Kirk’s security detail as the attack unfolded and running toward the SUV with the team as aides provided first aid. He said Kirk died instantly, and that, in his memory, Kirk’s final moments were devoid of pain. “Charlie, being like a son to me, I ran toward the security team, and we ran to the SUV together,” Turek told the crowd. He added that Kirk appeared to be looking past him “into eternity.”
“I want you to know that we did everything we could to save Charlie,” Turek said. “But Charlie was already gone.” He described Kirk’s death as a moment that underscored his friend’s faith. “He died instantly. His face was looking at mine, but he wasn't looking at me. He was looking past me right into eternity.”
Five years earlier, Kirk had asked Turek to mentor him on the evidences for Christianity, a relationship the author framed as a rare blend of intellect and humility. “Now, it's going to be difficult to mentor someone smarter than you,” Turek joked, before praising Kirk’s humility and his hunger to learn. “The only thing that surpassed Charlie's intellect was his humility.”
At the service, attendees paid tribute to Kirk’s life beyond public leadership. Turek emphasized that Kirk’s destiny was defined not by his political impact but by his relationship with his Savior. “Charlie Kirk is in heaven not because he was a great husband and father, not because he saved millions of kids on college campuses, not because he changed minds and chased votes to save the country, but because his Savior sacrificed himself for Charlie Kirk.” The author also lauded Erika Kirk, Charlie’s wife since 2021 and the mother of their two children, calling her a “force of nature.”
“Every morning Erika gets up, the devil shrieks, ‘Oh no. She’s awake again!’” Turek said. “And ladies and gentlemen, let's honor Jesus. Let's honor Charlie. Let's honor Erika so that when we wake up every morning, the devil shrieks, ‘Oh, no! They’re awake again. They’re born again.’”
The memorial drew thousands of young conservatives and political leaders, a gathering that organizers billed as a moment for reflection on Kirk’s work with Turning Point USA. The event, held Sept. 21, 2025, was part of a larger outpouring of tributes in the wake of Kirk’s death at age 24 following the shooting at Utah Valley University. The service also drew attention from national figures who paid their respects and offered condolences to Erika Kirk and the Kirk family.
As the light faded over State Farm Stadium, attendees carried signs and shared memories of a man who had helped shape a generation’s political engagement, while emphasizing faith as a throughline in his life. The gathering echoed earlier remarks and public statements that framed Kirk’s legacy as one rooted in conviction, mentorship, and resilience in the face of tragedy.
In the days surrounding the memorial, organizers signaled that former President Donald Trump was set to honor Kirk at the Arizona service, underscoring Kirk’s prominence within a broader conservative movement. The event served as a public moment of mourning and celebration, blending political action with personal faith and family remembrance.
The service concluded with attendees reflecting on Kirk’s impact as a mentor and advocate for principle-driven activism. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, stood beside family members and friends, thanking supporters and reaffirming the couple’s commitment to their two young children as they navigate life after loss. The ceremony, broadcast to a wide audience, left many in attendance and watching at home with a sense of both mourning and renewed purpose. The remembrance underscored a broader cultural moment in which faith, family, and political engagement intersect in contemporary public life.