Erika Kirk has shared what she described as one of the "last photos” taken of her husband, Charlie Kirk, before he was murdered.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead on September 10 while hosting a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with seven counts in connection with the killing, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.
Final picture of Charlie Kirk
Last week, Erika took to Instagram to share an image of the late conservative wearing a white T-shirt with the word “Freedom” across the front, taken just hours before the tragic shooting.
In the photo, he raises one arm while holding a stack of red-and-white caps he had been handing out at the event.
Alongside the snap, she wrote: “You loved witnessing excellence. It’s why you loved sports so much. You loved watching the best of the best perform at the level of greatness God intended for them."
“This is one of the last photos taken of you before you were murdered. I look at it and can’t help but see excellence. You’re in your element. You’re in athlete mode."
"Training for this exact moment, mind, body, and soul. To me, this is your ‘Jordan’ photo. Permanently etched in time, held in my heart, as I admire your greatness. Forever."
“I pray you’ve had the most amazing week in Heaven @charliekirk1776 I love you," she concluded.
Kirk's memorial at State Farm Stadium
On Sunday (September 21), more than 60,000 mourners attended Kirk’s memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Attendees were asked by Turning Point USA not to wear traditional funeral attire but to come dressed in patriotic colors, according to The New York Times.
The crowd turned out in red, white, and blue outfits, Trump T-shirts, and even “Freedom” shirts like the one Kirk wore in his final photograph.
MAGA-style hats with new slogans, including “Make America Charlie Kirk,” were also on display, with Turning Point selling branded caps for $39.
Erika herself wore a white suit paired with a black top, standing out against the sea of patriotic outfits.
Trump awards Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom
The event concluded with President Donald Trump, who posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Today, an entire nation wraps its loving arms around you and your beautiful children,” Trump said to Erika. “We vow that we will do everything we can to ensure that your children grow up in a land where their father is honored and revered as a great American hero.”
He praised Kirk’s faith, noting: “What was even more important to Charlie than politics and service was the choice he made in the fifth grade - which he called the ‘most important decision of his life’ - to become a Christian and a follower of his savior, Jesus Christ.”
As the service closed, Erika stood before the crowd and promised to continue the mission her husband began. “I love you Charlie, baby. And I will make you proud,” she said.
Kirk leaves behind two young children, a son and a daughter.