Arkansas sisters who trashed Charlie Kirk memorial beg for cash to pay legal bills after losing jobs

Two Arkansas sisters were arrested after they were filmed shredding signs and kicking candles at a Charlie Kirk memorial on the Benton County Courthouse steps, authorities said. Kerri Rollo, 23, and Kaylee Rollo, 22, were charged with first-degree criminal mischief in connection with the incident, which occurred days after Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was memorialized with candles and signs along the courthouse steps. Video footage showed the sisters tearing up signs and overturning candles while a bystander filmed, with one sister saying, “F--k Charlie Kirk” before the pair walked away. The case prompted discussions about the boundaries of free expression and the sanctity of memorials.

Following their arrest on Sept. 17, the Rollos set up a GoFundMe seeking $18,000 to cover legal fees, saying in the campaign that their First Amendment rights were being violated and that they needed support as they faced legal proceedings. The page noted that one sister had already lost a job while the other was facing a difficult period, and that the money would go toward legal counsel and court costs. As the campaign gained attention, local officials described the balance between political expression and respect for grieving communities.

Law enforcement said the sisters were arrested after the incident and subsequently faced charges related to vandalism. Benton County Sheriff’s Office records show that Kerri Rollo was fired from her job at a local Arkansas restaurant after the arrest, and Kaylee faced personal repercussions, including a breakup reportedly tied to the incident. A Benton County Justice of the Peace, Joseph Bollinger, told 40/29 News that while people have a right to express themselves, trampling a memorial and interfering with a grieving process crosses a line and undermines community values. He emphasized that the issue is not free speech in general, but the desecration of a memorial and the impact on those who are mourning.

As the case unfolded, the GoFundMe page reported progress toward the $18,000 goal, noting that the funds would support “LEGAL COUNSEL AND COURT FEES.” By midweek, organizers said they had raised roughly $15,000, with some donations reportedly coming from online trolls and others from supporters who disagreed with the vandalism but believed in due process or the individuals’ right to fund their defense. The fundraiser, the Rollos have argued, is a response to what they describe as online doxxing and public pressure that has affected their livelihoods.

The Charlie Kirk memorial incident sits amid broader national coverage of threats and violence around political figures and advocates. Separately, authorities identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged shooter who killed Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Kirk, 31, a prominent MAGA-aligned figure, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was fatally struck by a single gunshot. The investigation also highlighted law enforcement coordination, including reporting that Robinson shared a living situation with a transgender roommate, which aided investigators in their outreach to the Federal authorities. Kirk’s death prompted remarks from President Trump and others calling for substantial penalties for the shooter. Kirk’s funeral was scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, with attendance plans noted by officials.

In Benton County, the Rollos were released on bond totaling $22,500 after being charged with first-degree criminal mischief. The episode has drawn attention to the boundaries of protest and the emotional weight of memorials dedicated to public figures, with local leaders stressing that free expression does not excuse vandalism or the disruption of grieving rituals. The two sisters issued no formal statement through the campaign beyond reiterating their requests for support to cover legal costs, while local authorities continue to investigate the incident and monitor the public discourse surrounding it.