Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk delivered an emotional speech at her husband’s memorial service on Sunday, telling tens of thousands of people gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona that she forgives the man accused of killing him. The conservative activist was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University in Utah. Erika Kirk was named the new CEO of Turning Point USA, the organization her late husband founded, just days before the memorial service. She spoke about continuing his work and expanding the organization’s reach to honor his legacy. The memorial drew around 95,000 people, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance among the speakers. “I forgive him,” Erika Kirk said through tears as the crowd applaused and gave her a standing ovation, as per TMZ. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.” She was referring to Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect charged with her husband’s murder. Utah prosecutors seek death penalty for accused shooter Tyler Robinson was arrested after a two-day manhunt following the shooting. He faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Utah County prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty after Trump called for the ultimate punishment. In the midst of unimaginable pain, Erika Kirk stood with tears in her eyes and said, “I forgive him.” A moment of grace that speaks louder than anger, stronger than sorrow, and braver than any words could capture. True courage isn’t just facing loss—it’s choosing… pic.twitter.com/dyRG492mUo— Braxton (@Deeplythough885) September 22, 2025 Robinson turned himself in after his father recognized him from photos released by authorities. According to court documents, Robinson had told his roommate about planning the attack, leaving a note that said he had the “opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk” and was going to take it. The roommate initially thought Robinson was joking. Investigators found that Robinson had recently become more politically active and had expressed disagreement with Kirk’s views at a family dinner. His parents are registered Republicans, but Robinson himself had no party affiliation and had not voted in recent elections. He was studying to become an electrician at Dixie Technical College. Erika Kirk also spoke about seeing her husband’s body at a Utah hospital after the shooting. She said doctors told her that Charlie did not suffer because the wound was so severe that nothing could have been done even if he had been shot in an operating room. She said she found comfort in seeing “the faintest smile” on his lips, which she interpreted as a sign from God that he did not suffer. The memorial service featured multiple speakers who described Kirk as both a political activist and a Christian evangelist. Trump called Kirk a “martyr for American freedom” and announced he would posthumously award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The event combined tributes to Kirk’s political work with calls for spiritual revival and continued activism in his memory.