Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has spoken publicly about the tragic loss of her husband and the remarkable decision to forgive the man accused of killing him.
On September 10, Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while attending an event at Utah Valley University as part of his Turning Point USA comeback tour. The 31-year-old was rushed to a hospital by his security team but was pronounced dead shortly after.
Two days later, authorities confirmed the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has since been charged with multiple counts, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.
Erika’s message of forgiveness
At her husband’s memorial service, Erika Kirk, 36, stunned mourners with a powerful message of forgiveness directed at the suspected shooter.
“That young man, that young man,” she said. “On the cross, our Savior said: ‘Father, forgive them for they not know what they do.’ That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Her final moments with Charlie
Erika also recounted the heartbreaking details of seeing her husband’s body in the hospital. She revealed what a surgeon told her after examining the fatal wound.
“I saw the wound that ended his life. I felt shock, horror, and a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed. But there was something else too. Even in death, I could see the man that I love… I also saw on his lips the faintest smile,” she said.
According to doctors, the shooting was so instantaneous that nothing could have saved him.
She added, “There was no pain, there was no fear, no agony. One moment Charlie was doing what he loved, arguing and debating on campus… then he blinked and saw his Savior in paradise.”
A call to faith and courage
Erika concluded her tribute with a message of hope and resilience, urging others to honor Charlie’s legacy through faith.
“Charlie’s life was a turning point for this country. It was a miracle… Choose prayer, choose courage, choose beauty, choose adventure, choose family, choose a life of faith. Most importantly, choose Christ.”
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