Charlie Kirk’s body was flown back to Arizona ahead of his funeral after he was shot dead at Utah Valley University earlier this week.
Vice President JD Vance led members of the National Guard on Thursday, September 11, as they transported Kirk’s coffin onto Air Force Two at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base in Salt Lake City.
Vance will join Kirk’s widow, Erika Frantzve, and the couple’s two children on the flight as it heads back to the conservative political commentator’s home state for his funeral. The funeral is slated for next week, with President Donald Trump among those who have indicated they will attend.
Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, was killed on Wednesday, September 10, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” Turning Point USA said in a statement at the time.
Trump also reported Kirk’s death on Wednesday via his Truth Social platform.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” the president wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
The FBI released photos of the person of interest believed to be involved in Kirk’s murder on Thursday and offered a six-figure reward to anyone with information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest.
“We are asking for the public’s help identifying this person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. 1-800-CALL-FBI,” a post shared via X read.
The post also encouraged witnesses to call the FBI or submit photos and video through an online form if they had any relevant information to provide.
As news spread of Kirk’s sudden death at the university speaking engagement, many high-profile people reacted publicly, including Marvel star Chris Pratt and Full House’s Candace Cameron Bure.
“We love you, Charlie,” Cameron Bure, 49, wrote via Instagram. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Pratt, 46, wrote via X, “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.”
Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel also condemned Kirk’s murder despite his controversial views.
“Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?” Kimmel, 57, wrote via Instagram. “On behalf of my family, we send love to the kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
