Charlie Kirk statue defaced with red paint at TPUSA

FOX 10 Phoenix reported that a newly unveiled Charlie Kirk memorial outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters was covered with red spray paint early Sept. 13. The outlet said the eight-foot bronze statue stood near 48th Street and Beverly Road and that paint covered Kirk’s face, neck, torso, left hand and hats¹. The Guardian reported that red paint also marked a nearby memorial poster; Fox News said the poster carried the message “Jesus defeated death so you can live,” with “Jesus” and a cross apparently crossed out and “Satan” apparently written on it.

“We want these people arrested”

Anniversary timing

The Guardian reported that Turning Point USA installed the statue on Sept. 10 to mark one year since Kirk’s killing²; Fox News reported that vandals defaced it three days later³.

Police account and status

Phoenix police said two people vandalized the statue and a poster just before 1 a.m. on Sept. 13 and tried to set the poster on fire before fleeing, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Fox News separately reported that police began receiving calls about vandalism around 8:09 a.m. and said officers responded and the incident was under investigation³. Phoenix police said the vandalism occurred just before 1 a.m.; Fox News reported that calls about it began around 8:09 a.m. As of Sunday afternoon, Fox News reported that police had announced no arrests or suspect descriptions³. The outlet also reported that police had responded and were investigating; FOX 10 Phoenix likewise reported that Phoenix police were investigating the vandalism³.

FOX 10 Phoenix described the memorial as an eight-foot bronze statue outside Turning Point USA headquarters near 48th Street and Beverly Road, unveiled Sept. 10. Images from the headquarters showed a crude frowning face drawn across the statue’s chest, alongside red paint streaked across its face and neck, Fox News reported. The Christian Post reported that the paint on the statue’s face and neck covered the same area where Kirk was shot⁴. Fox News also reported that the nearby display appeared to have the word “Satan” scrawled across it, alongside the crossed-out references to Jesus and the cross³. The paint was gone by the end of the day: FOX 10 Phoenix reported that the statue had been cleaned by Sunday evening¹.

Anniversary and criminal case

The Guardian reported that Kirk was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA event in Utah. The outlet said the anniversary marked one year since his killing. FOX 10 Phoenix reported that Kirk co-founded TPUSA, was shot in the neck and later died at a nearby hospital. The criminal case remains pending: The Guardian reported that a Utah judge ruled the man accused of killing Kirk must stand trial for aggravated murder, a felony that could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted². Fox News identified the accused as Tyler Robinson and reported that he pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other charges³.

Turning Point USA commissioned Utah artist Quintin McCann to create the memorial, Fox News reported, citing FOX 10 Phoenix³. McCann told FOX 10 that Kirk’s death affected him deeply despite never having met him³.

TPUSA’s response and politics

The Guardian reported that Turning Point USA would restore the statue, replace signs, review footage and work with law enforcement to identify those responsible³. Fox News reported that TPUSA described the crossing out of Jesus’ name as intentional³. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and the group’s CEO³, responded to that act directly, according to The Christian Post: “If you think crossing out the name of Jesus Christ will silence Christians, history has already proved you wrong,”⁴ she said. Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer called the headquarters’ targeting the work of “radical criminals” in a social-media post, Fox News reported³.

The group also changed its plans for the memorial¹. Spokesman Andrew Kolvet said the group was pulling video from neighboring buildings⁵. “We want these people arrested,” he said, the Arizona Daily Star reported. FOX 10 Phoenix also reported that TPUSA had initially planned to keep the statue outside its gate only until Sept. 16, but said the vandalism could extend the display¹.

Fox News reported that Turning Point USA released video showing the damage³. The same report said the group encouraged supporters to vote ahead of the midterm elections. According to the Arizona Daily Star, Turning Point leaders also called on Gov. Katie Hobbs and other Democratic elected officials to condemn the vandalism⁵, and the paper noted that the group has endorsed Hobbs’ opponent, Rep. Andy Biggs⁵. “Why haven't we heard from Katie Hobbs or anyone with a D next to their name after Charlie's statue was vandalized?”⁵ Kolvet asked. Biggs called it “absolute evil,”³ Fox News reported. The Daily Star also reported that who committed the crime, and their political affiliation, was not clear as of Sept. 14⁵.

Investigation remains open

The next concrete developments are whether police identify or arrest anyone and whether TPUSA continues working with law enforcement, as the organization said it would². On Monday afternoon, a Phoenix police spokeswoman told The Christian Post that there were no updates and no arrests had been made⁴.

Readers should watch whether Phoenix police identify the two people they say did this. They should also watch whether Gov. Katie Hobbs and Arizona's other Democratic officeholders answer Turning Point USA's call to condemn the attack before voters go to the polls.

Sources

1. Charlie Kirk memorial statue vandalized at TPUSA headquarters with red spray paint | FOX 10 Phoenix
2. New Charlie Kirk statue vandalized at Turning Point USA headquarters | Arizona | The Guardian
3. Charlie Kirk statue vandalized with red paint at TPUSA Phoenix HQ | Fox News
4. Charlie Kirk statue defaced with red paint; 'Jesus' crossed out, 'Satan' spray-painted over it
5. 2 sought in Charlie Kirk statue vandalism