(NewsNation) — Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, gave a tearful tribute to her husband in her first remarks since he was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University.
“Two days ago, my husband Charlie went to see the face of his Savior and his God,” Erika Kirk said Friday.
“Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and his faith “Now and for all eternity, he will stand at his Savior’s side wearing the glorious crown of a martyr.”
Erika stood next to her husband’s empty chair in his podcast studio. She had tears in her eyes as she recalled her husband’s dedication to his faith, his love of family, nature, and his work with Turning Point USA.
“I will never ever have the words to describe the loss I feel in my heart,” she said. “Our world is filled with evil, but our God is so good, so incredibly good.”
Charlie Kirk leaves behind wife, two young children
The couple married on May 8, 2021 and share a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son. Erika recalled the moment their daughter, Gigi, asked where Charlie was.
“When I got home last night, Gigi ran into my arms. She said she missed me and asked, ‘Where is Daddy?’ What do you tell a 3-year-old?” Erika said.
“I told her he was on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.”
Erika Kirk’s message to Charlie’s killer
Speaking directly to her husband’s killer, she said, “If you thought my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea.
“You have no idea what you have unleashed across this entire country, the fire you have ignited.”
She vowed to never let her husband’s legacy fade and said Turning Point USA’s campus tour will continue this fall, as will Charlie Kirk’s radio and podcast shows.
“My husband’s voice will remain, and it will ring out louder and more clearly than ever, and his wisdom will endure,” she said.
She concluded her speech by saying, “May God bless you all and God bless America.”
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect arrested
Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, Tyler Robinson, was arrested after a 33-hour manhunt thanks to a tip from his family and messages discovered on Discord, police say.
The 22-year-old allegedly fired a single shot at Kirk from the roof of a building 200 yards from where he was speaking at Utah Valley University Wednesday.
Robinson was booked into a Utah jail late Thursday night after a family member contacted a family friend, saying Robinson confessed or implied he was involved in the shooting, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said.
Police also spoke with Robinson’s roommate, who showed them Discord messages from Robinson discussing the need to retrieve a rifle from a drop point, leaving the rifle in a bush and engraving bullets. The messages also mentioned a scope and the rifle being unique, according to his arrest affidavit.