A statue honoring Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA’s Arizona headquarters has been defaced.
The monument was unveiled Thursday, marking one year since Kirk’s death. By Sunday morning, however, it had been covered with red spray paint in Phoenix.
Phoenix police responded at about 9 a.m. after receiving a report that the memorial had been vandalized.
Red paint appeared to be focused around the bronze statue’s neck, seemingly referencing the location where Kirk was shot. A sad face had also been painted across the figure’s torso.
A second memorial at the headquarters was targeted as well. It depicts the late conservative alongside the message: ‘May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior.’
The vandalism included a large red ‘X’ across Kirk’s face, while the word ‘Jesus’ was covered in red paint. Photographs showed flowers and American flags placed near the memorial.
Authorities have not said whether any suspects have been identified.
The apparent anti-Christian message prompted an angry response from Kirk supporters online. One user wrote: ‘These animals will burn in hell for all eternity.’
The Charlie Kirk statue outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, was vandalized early Sunday
A separate, larger memorial dedicated to the late conservative was also defaced
Another commenter said: ‘So, killing Charlie wasn’t enough. So noted.’
Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025, after he was shot while addressing a Turning Point USA gathering at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, co-founded and ran the conservative youth organization.
The 31-year-old father and husband was shot in the neck by a single rifle shot while he hosted a debate event in front of roughly 3,000 people.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A manhunt was quickly launched for his alleged shooter, who was later identified as Tyler Robinson, 22.
The Utah native surrendered to the local sheriff’s office after his parents allegedly convinced him to turn himself in following his confession to them.
The 31-year-old father and husband was shot in the neck by a single rifle shot while he hosted a debate event in front of roughly 3,000 people
Robinson has been charged with ten criminal counts, including aggravated murder. That charge makes him eligible for the death penalty.
On September 1, a judge ruled that Robinson’s trial will move forward after prosecutors argued there was enough evidence against him. Meanwhile, his defense claimed the evidence was insufficient.
His defense attorney then entered pleas of not guilty on all counts on his behalf.
Robinson’s next court date is scheduled for October 23.
Before the latest ruling, Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride told the court: ‘It’s not difficult to understand the motive here.
‘The defendant’s views were repugnant to the positions that Charlie Kirk famously took.’
The state has pointed to Robinson and Kirk’s opposing views on same-sex marriage and gender transitioning after it was revealed that the alleged shooter was in a romantic relationship with his former roommate, Lance Twiggs.
A manhunt was quickly launched for his alleged shooter, who was later identified as Tyler Robinson, 22
Twiggs told investigators that he had been considering transitioning around the time Kirk was shot and killed, according to prosecutors.
A note that Robinson wrote to Twiggs, who also went by Luna, was also presented by prosecutors.
It read: ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it. I wish we could have lived in a world where this was not necessary.’
The vandalism comes just days after chaos erupted in New York City after another Charlie Kirk statue was displayed.
The life-sized statue was erected in Times Square on the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death after sculptor Sergio Furnaru created the piece.
Madness quickly ensued after its installation as both Kirk supporters and critics clashed on the streets.
Our News Outlet contacted the Phoenix Police Department and Turning Point USA for comment.
