Mourners reflect on Charlie Kirk's legacy as supporters honor Turning Point USA founder

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Mourners gathered outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix headquarters Sunday to reflect on the legacy of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder and chief executive who was fatally shot Sept. 10 during a remarks at Utah Valley University. The gathering drew supporters from across the country who left notes, candles and bouquets outside the office as they prepared to celebrate his life and his work building a youth-driven conservative movement.

Inside, memorials focused on Kirk's willingness to take on critics. Christopher Jackson told Fox News Digital that Kirk 'went into the lion's den on a regular basis' and did so 'civilly' to engage with others, especially young people taught a different view. 'He made it his life’s purpose to go into the lion's den and civilly have conversation with the other side,' Jackson said, noting that what began as a small gathering grew into a public moment of support. A pop-up florist named Terrie Overstreet set up outside with donated roses, baby’s breath and other flowers so that mourners could make their own bouquets.

Overstreet told Fox News Digital that her family donated flowers to fill the bus and that the community's generosity reflected a shared belief in honoring Kirk's memory. 'My brother donated 300, and then I allowed other people to give because in giving we receive,' Overstreet said. The 1964 Vintage Volkswagen bus was filled with blossoms as supporters arrived to pay tribute.

Ryan Elwood, who also spent time outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters, said Kirk was a fair and honest communicator. 'He really brought to light truth, justice, and facts, and that was one of the big things that the world needs to hear is the facts and the truth behind the issues, and once you have the facts, the truth, you should be able to make your own opinion from there,' Elwood said. 'And I think he was very good about keeping it as unbiased as possible and making people come to their own conclusions.'

Joel Freda told Fox News Digital that those who believed in Kirk's mission must make it theirs in order for his legacy to endure. 'I think it's gonna take everybody that ever was involved with TPUSA, it's gonna take people that ever watched him,' Freda said. 'And he's not somebody that is replaceable... It's going to take a lot of people. And it's a massive effort. But I think he, through the work that he did for — what was it, 13 years when he started — he built that foundation so that now it's there, the structure's already there for people to do that.'

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was widely seen as a rising voice in the conservative movement and a defining influence for supporters who credited him with energizing young conservatives and shaping campus activism. TPUSA officials did not issue a formal statement at the Phoenix site.

Kirk started Turning Point USA in 2012 as an 18-year-old with encouragement from Tea Party activist Bill Montgomery. Supporters say his legacy will endure if current and former TPUSA members continue the work he began, including organizing events, promoting campus dialogue and expanding the network to reach more young people. As mourners traveled from across the country to pay their respects, many said they would carry forward his call to 'stand up for what you believe' in the face of opposition, believing that the movement’s future depends on a new generation taking up the mantle.

The community and the broader political landscape will be watching how the movement evolves in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, with tributes and memorials likely to continue in the coming days as TPUSA supporters rally to keep his mission at the forefront of campus activism. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details.