‘Daddy’s on a work trip with Jesus’: Erika Kirk Speaks Out After Husband Charlie Kirk’s Campus Shooting Death
September 15, 2025
Two days after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University, his widow Erika Kirk has issued her first public statement—an emotional mix of gratitude, faith, and defiance.
Erika began by thanking first responders and law enforcement for their swift action on the night of the September 10 attack. She also expressed appreciation to friends and political allies—including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance—who have offered support since the tragedy.
Addressing the most personal loss, she spoke of the couple’s young daughter, sharing that when the child asked, “Where’s Daddy?” she gently explained that “he is on a work trip with Jesus.” Erika described Charlie as a devoted father and a man whose faith anchored their family.
Turning to the future of Turning Point USA, the organization her husband founded, Erika vowed that Charlie’s mission will not be silenced. “His voice will grow stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever,” she said, confirming that upcoming initiatives such as The American Comeback Tour and the group’s December conference will proceed as planned.
Erika also delivered a pointed message to those responsible for the shooting, calling them “evildoers” who “have no idea what they have done.” Rather than instilling fear, she said, the act has “unleashed something more powerful,” igniting a resolve to continue her husband’s work.
The investigation into the Utah campus shooting remains active, with state and federal agencies probing the suspect’s motive and whether others were involved. For Erika Kirk, however, the focus is clear: honoring Charlie’s memory by ensuring his conservative advocacy and outreach efforts endure.
