(NewsNation) — Beyond being a conservative activist, Charlie Kirk was a husband to Erika Kirk and father to a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
Kirk, 31, was assassinated Wednesday while at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The shooter is still at large.
Erika Kirk, née Frantzve, has not commented publicly since her husband was murdered.
Who is Erika Kirk?
Erika Kirk is a 36-year-old mother of two hailing from Arizona.
Kirk, who married Charlie Kirk on May 8, 2021, is known as a businesswoman, philanthropist and podcaster.
She hosts a twice-weekly podcast, “Midweek Rise Up,” which aims to “push you, Biblical leadership to challenge you, and God-breathed Scripture to posture your heart for the best that’s yet to come.”
Sage Steele tearfully recalls how Charlie Kirk inspired her
Kirk also founded “Proclaim,” a faith-based clothing company.
Kirk played NCAA women’s basketball for Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and won the Miss Arizona pageant in 2012. She also graduated with a double major in Political Science and International Relations from Arizona State University and a Juris Master’s in American Legal Studies at Liberty University.
What happened to Charlie Kirk?
Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking to college students at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA’s “American Comeback Tour.” He regularly went to colleges across the nation to discuss and debate cultural topics, becoming an internationally known figure.
President Trump announced that Charlie Kirk died Wednesday afternoon and said Thursday evening that “big progress” has been made toward apprehending the shooter.
Who was Charlie Kirk? Conservative activist shot dead in Utah
As of Thursday, authorities said the suspect remains at large. Investigators said the shooter was on the roof of a building 200 yards from where Charlie Kirk was speaking and jumped off the roof and fled through a neighborhood after the shooting. A high-powered, bolt-action rifle was found in the woods nearby and is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.
Investigators said they have “good footage” of the shooter but declined to say whether they had identified them. They later released photos of a person of interest.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls said the suspect appeared to be of college age and blended in well at the event.
What is Turning Point USA?
Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was 18 years old. The nonprofit political organization advocates for conservative politics on high school and college campuses, growing significantly more influential over the years.
According to its website, the organization’s mission is to “identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.”
The group says it has a presence on over 3,500 campuses and describes itself as the largest and fastest-growing youth organization in America.
How did Charlie and Erika Kirk meet?
According to a Turning Point video, the pair went on a first date in 2019. Erika Kirk’s Instagram account is filled with images and videos of her husband and children, often together, as well as her Christian faith.
“I met her and we had a very, very long dinner, which was very close to almost an interview,” Charlie Kirk said of his first date.
Photos released of person of interest in Charlie Kirk shooting
In her biography, Erika Kirk expands on her love for her husband.
“Above all, Erika cherishes her role as the wife of Charlie Kirk and the mother of their precious son and daughter,” it reads.
“As she continues to grow in her ministry, leadership, and entrepreneurial endeavors, Erika remains committed to inspiring others to live with purpose, rooted in faith, and driven by the love of Christ in every aspect of life,” it continues.
