BREAKING Activist Charlie Kirk Shot and Dies at Age 31 - Bishops Offer Prayers and Condolences to his Family - RIP



Controversial Conservative Christian Activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an event held at a university in Utah, U.S.A. Charles James Kirk (October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American right-wing political activist, author, and media influencer. While on stage at his "The American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, Kirk was shot in the neck. The shooting took place around noon as the event began. Kirk died later that day from his injuries, aged 31. His death was publicly announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in a 4:40 p.m. He was the Founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rallying, organizing, and empowering students to advocate for principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. The suspect is in custody according to the White House quoting FBI director Kash Patel on X.
Kirk, born in Chicago, Illinois, was married to Erika Kirk and they had two children. In May 2021, he married Erika Frantzve, a podcaster who won the Miss Arizona USA pageant competition in 2012. The two welcomed their first child, a daughter, born in August 2022. The couple's second child, a son, was born in May 2024.
Please Pray for the Repose of his Soul and for his family.
Bishop Robert Barron wrote on X:
I am devastated by the news of Charlie Kirk’s death. My prayers go out from the depths of my heart to his family, especially his beloved wife and children. May Christ our Savior welcome Charlie into his heavenly kingdom and may the Lord in his mercy be our consolation and our strength.
The Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kirk's home state wrote a statement:
Bishop Oscar A. Solis on the Death of Charlie Kirk
“My heart goes out to the family of Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed today at Utah Valley University. I will pray for the repose of his soul. I am also praying for all who were affected, especially those who were present at the event on campus, the many people who admired Mr. Kirk, and most particularly his family.
“Meanwhile, I continue to pray for all the victims of gun violence throughout the years and their families. It is appalling that senseless acts of violence such as this continue to occur. It seems that our society has lost the sense of the sanctity of life, and I pray that our government will undertake appropriate measures to stop these horrible crimes.”
President Donald Trump wrote:
"The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" - President Donald J. Trump

Vice President J.D. Vance wrote:
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord."
“Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour,” Vance wrote just before confirmation of Kirk’s death by the president.
Governor Gavin Newsom said of the shooting its “disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.”
“In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” Newsom wrote.
Newsom and Kirk previously joined each other’s podcasts to debate their political differences.
Former President Joe Biden, wrote on X, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now.” “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” he said.
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action and a Catholic, said on X: "I’m hearing right now that my dear friend and fellow defender of Life, Charlie Kirk, was killed today by a gunman who shot him on a college campus as he was speaking at Utah Valley University. We are praying for Charlie, his wife (Erika), and his family, and ask you all to join us in doing the same. We all know the work we do to protect Life comes at a cost....We must show our nation that to be pro-life is to love life, all lives, as that is why we educate and advocate against the violence of abortion. We stand up against the violence of abortion, for not only does it kill innocent, precious lives, abortion also kills our culture and creates one where some people think killing someone they disagree with is justified."
About Charlie Kirk: With a presence on more than 3,500 high school and college campuses in all 50 states, and supported by over 350 full-time staff members, Turning Point USA stands as the nation’s largest conservative youth activist organization.
He had a combined social media following exceeding 14 million followers, reaching more than 150 million individuals on a monthly basis.
Bishop Barron wrote a second post on Kirk:
I first met Charlie Kirk about four years ago when I was in Phoenix for a speaking engagement. He reached out and invited me to breakfast. I was deeply impressed by him that day. He was a man of great intelligence, considerable charm, and real goodness of heart. I reconnected with him just last year, after I saw him debate twenty-five young people who were, to put it mildly, hostile to his views. I texted him that I was so struck by how he kept his cool and his charitable attitude in the face of some pretty obnoxious opposition. I then asked him to appear as a guest on my interview program, “Bishop Barron Presents,” and he eagerly accepted my invitation. He was scheduled to come to Rochester, Minnesota in about ten days. The last contact we had was two nights ago. After I appeared on one of the evening news shows to talk about the Religious Liberty Commission, he texted me and told me how much he appreciated what I said and then added, “I’m excited to join you on your show soon. God bless you.” That last sentence shows what was most important to Charlie. He was indeed a great debater and also one of the best advocates in our country for civil discourse, but he was, first and last, a passionate Christian. In fact, when we had that breakfast in Phoenix, we didn’t talk much about politics. We talked about theology, in which he had a deep interest, and about Christ. I know I’m joining millions of people around the world in praying that he rests now in the peace of the Lord.

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