Charlie Kirk’s Statue Vandalised In Phoenix, Erika Vows To Restore It: 'They Thought A Bullet Would…'

A newly unveiled statue honouring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was vandalised with red paint at the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, days after the first anniversary of his death.

The 8-foot bronze statue was unveiled on September 10 to mark one year since Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University in September 2025.

The statue was found covered in red spray paint, including markings across its face, neck and hat. A frowning face was also drawn on the statue’s torso.

A nearby memorial poster featuring Kirk was similarly vandalised, with red paint drawn across his face and neck. The word “Jesus” in a religious message on the sign was also reportedly crossed out.

Turning Point USA said

the incident took place during the night and that it was reviewing security footage while working with law enforcement to identify those responsible.

The organisation said it would restore the statue and replace the damaged signs.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, condemned the vandalism and said the incident would not stop her from continuing her late husband’s work.

In a post on X, she recalled Kirk’s belief that people should respond to the destruction of statues by “building” more rather than tearing things down.

Charlie once said we should be building two statues for every statue that they tear down. His instinct was always to build, not to destroy.

They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice but it only made it louder. They think spray paint can obscure his legacy, but it… https://t.co/nfMlpsSwKd

— Erika Kirk (@MrsErikaKirk) September 13, 2026

“They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice but it only made it louder,” Erika said, adding that attempts to damage his legacy would only strengthen their resolve.

Erika, who now serves as CEO of TPUSA, also said the statue would be cleaned and restored.

Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and ally of former US President Donald Trump, was 31 when he was fatally shot at a student event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

Tyler James Robinson, who is accused of killing Kirk, faces criminal charges in the case. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is convicted. A trial date has not yet been set.