Tributes are flooding in from ministry leaders and high-profile figures both within and outside the U.S. following the shocking murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Leading figures in the church, sports, entertainment, and politics are expressing grief and outrage over Kirk’s death, with some hailing Kirk as martyr.
“Pray for @CharlieKirk11‘s family,” said Dr. Ed Stetzer, editor-in-chief of Outreach Magazine and the dean of the Talbot School of Theology. “If you are going to post something, don’t post a horrific video, or your criticisms or concerns. Instead, post him and his family, all made in the image of God, and in need of our prayers right now. Jesus, be near to the Kirk family.”
Charlie Kirk Receives Tribute From American and World Leaders
On Sept. 10, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) cofounder and Executive Director Charlie Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University, which was a stop on his The American Comeback Tour. At around 12:20 p.m. MT, a gunman opened fire and shot Kirk in the neck. Graphic video of the incident shows blood pouring from Kirk’s neck immediately after he was shot.
Kirk, 31, was rushed to the hospital and was said to be in critical condition; his death was confirmed later that afternoon. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and the couple’s two children. Kirk’s family was reportedly at the event when he was shot.
RELATED: UPDATE: Charlie Kirk Has Died Following Shooting at Utah Valley University Event
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox referred to the shooting a “political assassination.” Authorities detained two persons of interest in relation to the shooting but afterward released them. The suspect is still at large as of this writing. Although initially reluctant to do so, on Thursday, the FBI released photos of the alleged suspect and offered a $100,000 reward in return for information about the assailant.
TPUSA posted a statement about Kirk’s death on X:
— Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) September 10, 2025
“There was no one like Charlie Kirk,” said former pastor and former TPUSA Director Jared Fleming. “There was no one who could work as hard as Charlie Kirk. There was no greater fighter than Charlie Kirk. I’m honored to have known him, worked alongside him, and fought with him. His voice will be deeply missed.”
Those offering tributes to Kirk and condemning the violence that took his life include political leaders at the highest levels of office. Vice President J.D. Vance posted a lengthy tribute on X, in which Vance described Kirk’s kindness toward him and called Kirk a “true friend.”
“Charlie genuinely believed in and loved Jesus Christ. He had a profound faith,” Vance said. “We used to argue about Catholicism and Protestantism and who was right about minor doctrinal questions. Because he loved God, he wanted to understand him.” Vance said that as he started receiving the news that Kirk was shot, he “prayed a lot.”
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