Pro-life and pregnancy help advocates continue to respond to the tragic shooting and death of conservative activist, author, and Turning Point USA founder and Executive Director Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was murdered with an assassin’s bullet Wednesday while appearing at Utah Valley University for the kickoff of his organization’s The American Comeback Tour. He is remembered for rising to prominence at a young age as a passionate activist whose organization educates, trains, and organizes thousands of young people to advocate for traditional American values. Kirk was considered controversial by many who were opposed to his ideas.
A manhunt for the shooter and the investigation were ongoing at press time.
Kirk is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve, and their two young children.
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Reactions were immediate following the Sept. 10 assassination of Kirk, who worked tirelessly to engage in good-faith debate on cultural issues, including life, faith, and freedom. He was known for maintaining respectful dialogue often in the face of vitriol. The pro-life responses to his murder continued to flow the following day. Overall, they ran the gamut of profound grief and shock, with appeals to faith and calls to continued action for freedom of speech advocacy, along with memorializing Kirk’s legacy.
Below is a limited round-up from statements and social media responses, some lightly edited for length.
Live Action founder and President Lile Rose:
What matters most is God. Everything is for Him. We were made for Heaven. Rest in peace, Charlie.
Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins:
Tonight, I’m returning home to two teen boys who are devastated. A husband who saw his worst nightmare for me played out. An email to my neighbors to call 911 if they see something suspicious. And an armed guard. An unanswered text from yesterday to my friend, Charlie.
But I’m so thankful I’m returning home from my campus tour stop today.
I weep every time I think of my friend Erika and her precious babies.
This is not how it should be.
Speaking up against violence & against a Culture of Death should not put families at risk for devastation.
Students for Life had scheduled a prayer service in memory of Kirk for Thursday night.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America:
We are deeply saddened by Charlie's murder. He was a hero for all who believe in the right to life, especially young leaders, and his voice will be greatly missed.
We continue to pray for his family, for those at UVU, and for justice and an end to violence across our nation.
National Right to Life President Carol Tobias:
With heavy hearts, we remember Charlie Kirk.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk—beloved husband, father, and tireless advocate for his convictions. Charlie’s life was marked by bold courage, steadfast faith, and a vision to awaken hearts and minds across our nation.
As we reflect on his legacy, we are reminded of his words:
“If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas—not run away from them or try and silence them.”
Our prayers are with his wife, Erika, and their two children, that God would surround them with comfort, strength, and peace in this time of profound grief.
Together, let us stand in gratitude for his life and the impact he made.
Kristen Waggoner, president, CEO, and chief counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom:
At the end of every life, there are only a few things that truly matter. Those things were true of Charlie Kirk: he knew his Creator. He acted on his convictions. He sought to anchor those convictions in the truth of the Gospel. And now, he has entered into glory.
Tweet This: We are deeply saddened by Charlie Kirk's murder. He was a hero for all who believe in the right to life and his voice will be greatly missed
Lauren Muzyka, president and CEO of Sidewalk Advocates for Life:
Charlie – in the words of his young wife, Erika – "was a force."
He spoke unafraid and boldly in defense of life, family, and freedom.
In January, I was in a small room with Charlie, Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life, and colleagues and friends of the movement where he was a featured speaker.
But I had a moment yesterday where it hit me...
What would Charlie want us to do?
He would want us to fight – but in a very specific way.
He would tell us to never stop talking and debating.
He would tell us to never stop speaking up for Christ, life, family, and freedom.
No matter the threats against us.
He'd tell us it was worth it.
Well done, Charlie Kirk, good and faithful servant – God bless you and thank you.
Sean Corcoran pro-life speaker and CEO at Men for Life:
We need to pray for everyone who is willing to take a stand a speak out for what they believe in, on either side of any issue. The idea that because we disagree, those disagreements threaten us to the point that we should try to kill the other person is truly evil. And to know there are people who are seeing what happened and celebrating it...this is spiritual warfare. It is an attempt to silence not only a single person, but anyone else who is willing to take a position as well. This is not who we were created to be or how we were created to act. This is the disintegration of society that can only be course corrected by changing the culture and getting back to where we value each other as people.
Tonya Baker Nelson CEO at Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center:
He was literally shot and killed for proclaiming the name of Jesus.
In America.
We truly have no excuse nor reasons for why we remain silent on Christ’s Truth. None.
Gloria Leyda, senior vice president of Ambassador Speakers:
These senseless acts of violence in our nation have to end. It will end in our homes. Conversations with our families about respecting others even though a person may not have the same beliefs or skin color as you. Because you don't agree with someone does not give you the right to end their life.
I pray for Erika, who has lost her husband, and her young children, who will be growing up without their father.
I pray for our nation divided that the walls of hate and racial difference will be overwhelmed with love for one another.
Heaven gained a warrior today.
Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest.
Reliance Center CEO and Founder Heather Lawless:
My heart aches for Heaven. A man who stood unashamed for truth, for life, and for freedom… gone because the world couldn’t handle his light.
This is what happens when lies are confronted with truth. Darkness hates light. Evil hates life. But church, this is our moment. We are not called to be comfortable. We are called to be holy disrupters. To step into the chaos with courage. To be peacemakers over peacekeepers. To speak truth while leading with love. To point a hurting world to the only answer…Jesus.
Charlie knew the cost, and he and Erika still said yes. And now, it’s on us. Not to hide. Not to cower. But to rise up, to love louder, to lead with love that cannot be shaken, and to shine brighter.
We may be threatened. We may be hated. But we cannot be silent. Because every word of truth we speak is a seed of hope. Every stand we take is a testimony that JESUS is the way, the truth, and the life and that the gospel is the only truth.
We will honor Charlie…not by giving in to fear, but by pressing in to faith. By leading with love. By being holy disrupters. By speaking truth, and by loving people all the way to Jesus.
Amy Ford, president of Embrace Grace:
My heart, as well as our team, are grieved over the assassination and death of Charlie Kirk. A father and a man after God’s heart who put his life on the line every day, even while often being ridiculed and mocked for what He believes. I’m praying for his young wife who just lost her husband. And for his 2 little children that lost their daddy. We are here on this earth for just a vapor. A quick moment. I’m inspired by his grit and tenacity until the very end. If we just had a fraction of his courage …. Thank you Charlie for your hard work here on earth. You inspired us. I will not cower in fear. I will speak louder. I will love bigger. I will share my faith and my convictions with my words and my actions even more. Your life inspired a movement. And we will keep moving forward.
The American College of Pediatricians:
Charlie Kirk is a true hero in the work he did to help our country, help families and most of all, protect children from dangerous ideology and a civilization trying to destroy their bodies and their lives. He is a hero to many of us, inspiring us and encouraging us through his fearless facilitation of open dialogue with young people across the country. This was not only a targeted attack on his life, but also an attack on free speech meant to frighten all of us into silence.
Choose Life Marketing:
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a force for life and advocated tirelessly for the unborn during his short 31 years on earth. His impact on a generation of pro-life warriors is immeasurable, and we know many will honor his legacy by taking up the torch he so passionately and articulately carried.
President Donald Trump issued an order for all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the United States and its territories in Kirk’s honor until sunset September 14, and announced Thursday that Kirk would be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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