Erika Kirk marked the one-year anniversary of her husband Charlie Kirk's death by sharing a heartfelt message and a wedding photo on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Charlie Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. He was 31 years old.
Erika Kirk, 37, posted a black-and-white image from their wedding with the caption "...until Heaven." A family spokesperson stated that she planned to observe the anniversary privately with their two children, family, and close friends, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support.
Earlier in the week, Erika Kirk attended a Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, where former President Donald Trump spoke about Charlie Kirk's legacy. Trump described the shock felt by "millions of Americans" at the news of Kirk's death and condemned those who he said "celebrated" it, calling the shooting "just terrible."
Meanwhile, in New York City, sculptor Sergio Furnari unveiled a life-sized statue commemorating Charlie Kirk in Times Square on Thursday. The unveiling was met with a chaotic scene as footage showed altercations between individuals supporting the statue and protesters. Reports and video from the event depicted pushing, shoving, yelling, and the throwing of objects, despite the presence of police officers.
Protesters against the statue were heard yelling insults and displaying offensive gestures. Some individuals draped in American flags engaged in arguments with protesters, while others attempted to de-escalate the situation. One man was seen holding a large USA flag and shouting about "Islamists."
Furnari told Fox News that he began working on the sculpture shortly after Kirk's assassination, motivated by his dismay at some of the public reactions to the tragedy. He cited the treatment of Erika Kirk and Charlie's parents as a catalyst for his project, emphasizing the need for empathy regardless of political affiliation.
Furnari stated that he was not a strong supporter of Kirk's political views but felt compelled to "stand together" with those grieving his murder, advocating for freedom of expression and creation.
The statue, standing 6-foot-5 and costing over $100,000, was funded by Furnari's personal savings. He has launched an online fundraiser to recoup the costs, with plans to engrave the names of donors on the statue's platform. Furnari expressed that the public discourse surrounding Kirk's death fueled his determination to unveil the sculpture, feeling that the repeated mockery of Kirk was akin to a second death.
