Country singer Gavin Adcock said he would publicly honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk at multiple recent concerts and that he was not afraid to show support after Kirk was fatally shot this week.
Adcock told Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" that Kirk's assassination weighed on him in the days after the killing and that he chose to acknowledge Kirk during shows because he believed his audience overlapped with Kirk's supporters. "When I found out the news [of Kirk's death] the day before, I had four shows lined up that weekend, and it was sitting really heavy on the heart to even go play those shows after something like that happens," Adcock said. "It was great to honor him all weekend."
At shows, including a performance at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri, Adcock led crowds in chanting "Charlie Kirk" and concluded a set by telling the audience, "Charlie Kirk's with Jesus." He shared a video of the moment on Instagram and wrote that he "didn’t get the privilege of meeting Charlie Kirk, but anybody that loves Jesus is a friend of mine." Adcock also cited Psalms 97:10 and said Kirk's voice would be "stronger than ever and will make an impact for centuries."
Adcock told host Laura Ingraham he was not afraid to publicly support Kirk and framed his actions in religious terms, saying people who live "in the life of the Lord" should not fear death. "For all the people, the hateful people out there, the groups that thought that would quiet Charlie Kirk, you just awoken millions of other people that are not scared to die," he said.
The remarks came as law enforcement announced an arrest in Kirk's death. Kirk was shot while speaking at an event in Orem, Utah. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and booked him on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm and obstruction of justice, according to a court affidavit. A judge ordered Robinson held without bail, and formal charges were expected to be filed the following Tuesday.
President Donald Trump announced the arrest during a live appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday morning. The shooting prompted national attention and a wave of public statements across the political spectrum.
Kirk was a well-known conservative activist and commentator who founded Turning Point USA and frequently spoke on college campuses and at political events. His death on Wednesday during a speaking engagement in Utah drew responses from Republican leaders, conservative media figures and supporters, as well as calls for swift law enforcement action.
Adcock said he had four shows scheduled the weekend after Kirk's death and that honoring Kirk felt appropriate for his audience demographic. He described his concerts as places to encourage prayer and reflection and told attendees to "say some prayers for somebody that needs it." He added that if he were targeted for his public support, others would "raise up louder."
Officials in Utah have said investigators are continuing to gather evidence related to the shooting. Robinson's arrest affidavit lists the charges; further details, including motive, had not been publicly disclosed by investigators at the time of the reports.
Adcock's public tributes join a broader set of reactions since Kirk's killing, which has prompted heightened security at some political events and renewed debate over political rhetoric and safety for public figures. Law enforcement officials have urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed and have asked anyone with information to come forward.
As of Friday, authorities had not released a complete timeline of the shooting beyond stating that it occurred during the speaking engagement in Orem. Formal charging decisions were expected to clarify the case in the days ahead, and court proceedings will determine whether Robinson faces the full set of allegations listed in the affidavit.