In brief
A memorial service for the conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot during a debate in Utah, is set for September 21 at State Farm Stadium, Arizona. The event will honor his life and legacy, with expected attendees including President Trump and other political figures. Details surrounding the incident leading to his death continue to unfold, with the suspected shooter currently in custody.
A memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk will be held on 21 September at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, a venue which can seat more than 60,000 people.
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk co-founded, made the announcement on social media, inviting the public to celebrate his remarkable life and enduring legacy.
Kirk, 31, was shot dead on Wednesday during an open-air speaking event in Utah. His suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, was arrested on Thursday night after surrendering to police.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the memorial service, along with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Before departing for Israel on Saturday, Rubio said he would be back in time for Kirk's memorial and remembered him as a great young man. I admired all the stuff he said and did on campuses, and again, an enormous influence on young people, primarily, he said.
Arizona marks an important place for Kirk - it's the location of Turning Point USA's headquarters and where he and his wife lived with their two children before his death.
Earlier on Saturday, Kirk's widow, Erika, made her first public remarks after her husband's death, pledging to keep his legacy alive. In a livestream broadcast from Turning Point USA's headquarters, Mrs. Kirk addressed what she called the evil doers responsible for her husband's death, proclaiming, You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife, the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.
Kirk was shot while hosting one of his signature Prove Me Wrong debates at Utah Valley University while taking a question about gun violence and transgender people in the US.
Tyler Robinson was taken into custody on 12 September and is being held at Utah County Jail without bail. He is expected to make his first court appearance next week.
Posthumously, Trump announced that he will award Kirk a Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a giant of his generation and a champion of liberty.
