Charlie Kirk’s family and close friends will fly to Salt Lake City today following the fatal shooting of the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder at Utah Valley University.
His casket is expected to return to Phoenix, Arizona, on Air Force Two that night with family and friends. Turning Point USA, based in Phoenix, held a vigil on Wednesday night. Vice President JD Vance later honored Kirk on X, calling him a man of courage, faith, and loyalty.
Kirk was a trusted confidant of Vance, their bond spanning from early doubts about Trump in 2016 to the 2024 campaign trail as full-fledged supporters. Vance’s reflection spotlighted Kirk’s impact on both the conservative movement and his influence on the Trump-Vance partnership.
“Charlie was one of the first people I called when I thought about running for Senate in early 2021,” Vance wrote. “We talked through everything, from the strategy to the fundraising to the grassroots of the movement he knew so well. He introduced me to some of the people who would run my campaign and also to Donald Trump Jr.”
Vance said Kirk, a longtime champion of young conservatives, played a pivotal role in Trump’s choice of him as running mate in 2024.
Additionally, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth led a prayer for Kirk with service members:
A prayer for Charlie Kirk and those who serve. pic.twitter.com/wWkEEvheRm
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) September 11, 2025
