The jumbotron at Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Charlie Kirk was like many Arizonans, an out-of-state transplant who made his home in the Valley. Here, he expanded a grassroots organization into a nationwide behemoth.
Kirk was known for the way he resonated with young people and drew them to his conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA. Thousands of young adults attended a vigil for him this week at Arizona State University.
The memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. See KJZZ's coverage from Glendale.
“I’ve watched a lot of Charlie’s videos growing up and he kind of helped guide me as to what my own personal political views are,” ASU alumna Ashlee Davis said. She’s one of several students who said Kirk inspired them as young Christians and conservatives.
Kirk was shot and killed at a Turning Point event on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. He was in the middle of hosting one of his signature “Prove Me Wrong” debate table events.
Kirk grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois — and co-founded Turning Point when he was only 18.
Two years later, Kirk met Tyler Bowyer, an Arizona native who now serves as the head of Turning Point’s political arm — Turning Point Action.
Arizona state Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) is a longtime friend of both men and does marketing for Turning Point as a vendor.
Hoffman said Kirk’s decision to make Arizona his base stemmed from strategic conversations with Bowyer about getting away from heavily liberal areas.
“An organization that was, you know, of the vein that Charlie wanted to build, had two choices. Can move to Washington, D.C., which is what I think most organizations opt to do, or it could move to the heartland. And that was really Tyler's argument was, you know, Tyler said, ‘Look, if we're going to be the juggernaut that we think we can be, we need to be as in touch with everyday Americans as possible, like Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia. It's a very out of touch environment,’” Hoffman said.
Gage Skidmore/CC by 2.0
State Sen. Jake Hoffman on Jan. 13, 2025.
So in 2017, Kirk and Bowyer set up shop in a small office in downtown Mesa. From there, the organization expanded rapidly.
Turning Point was instrumental in getting President Donald Trump reelected in 2024. And with Kirk’s influence growing, Hoffman said he’s completely sure that Kirk would have become president himself one day.
“We just knew it like it didn't have to be said. We said it because we knew it. No, he would have been president. I can, I can guarantee it,” Hoffman said.
But in a split second, everything changed.
Hoffman was monitoring the Utah event remotely and remembers hearing that Kirk had been shot.
“I texted someone. I said, Hey, I need an update, what's going on? And they said, ‘he's gone.’ And at that point, I just broke down,” Hoffman said. “This is not how it's supposed to work. This is not how America is supposed to work. This is not how college campuses are supposed to work. College campuses are supposed to be the place where you go to debate ideas.”
Now, Hoffman accuses the political left — and only the left — of trying to rile up their supporters and encourage more political violence.
Hoffman said Democrats who reject that rhetoric are welcome to take part in mourning Kirk at events like an upcoming memorial service in Glendale on Sunday.
“Conservatives don't need you to agree with us on everything, but we do need you to be willing to defend our right to say what we believe, just as strongly as we're willing to defend your right to say what you believe,” Hoffman said.
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Lucas Miles, pastor and senior director of TPUSA Faith, speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA Vice President of Field Operations Andrey Sypher speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer speaks during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Jack Posobiec speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Jack Posobiec speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Center for Arizona Policy President Peter Gentala speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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“MAGA Hulk” Stephen Davis speaks during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Attendees shine their phone flashlights during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Rob Clements, pastor and director of ASU Catholic Newman Center, speaks at Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Attendees stand during Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Signs decorate the stage at a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. COO Tyler Bowyer said the center sign was from one of Turning Point’s first events at ASU.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Ashlee Davis speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Carson Carpenter speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Bella Keenan speaks to KJZZ reporter Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point's Arizona State University chapter holds a vigil event for Charlie Kirk on the Tempe campus Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA staffers register voters during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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Turning Point USA staffers and volunteers wore “I am Charlie” shirts during a candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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People visit a memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Kirk outside the group’s headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk was killed a day earlier during an event at Utah Valley University.
Alexandra Medina/Cronkite News
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Mourners stand with flags across the street from the Phoenix mortuary that received Charlie Kirk's casket on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
Lindsey C. Riley/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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A memorial outside Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, where the motorcade carrying Charlie Kirk's casket went from Phoenix Sky Harbor.
Chelsey Heath/KJZZ
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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People visit a memorial for Turning Point USA CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Kirk outside the group’s headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. Kirk was killed a day earlier during an event at Utah Valley University.
Alexandra Medina/Cronkite News
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Mourners gather to honor Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA offices in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
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A memorial to Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025.
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 11, 2025.
Gage Skidmore/CC by 2.0
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People pay their respects to Charlie Kirk at a makeshift memorial at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday.
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The Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
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Armed Phoenix police officers guard the Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, after the fatal shooting of CEO Charlie Kirk.
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
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Cars parked outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix campus to honor Charlie Kirk on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, after he was shot and killed on Wednesday.
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The Turning Point USA campus in Phoenix on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025.
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Shane Besore, a Charlie Kirk supporter, is emotional outside the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 10, 2025. Kirk, the group’s co-founder, was shot and killed hours earlier at an event in Utah.
Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Chapter Leadership Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 11, 2025.
Gage Skidmore/CC by 2.0
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Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2025 Student Action Summit at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida, on July 13, 2025.
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Charlie Kirk speaks at Turning Point USA's annual event, AmericaFest, on Dec. 19, 2024, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
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Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk and Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speak with attendees at a Chase the Vote rally in Mesa on Sept. 4, 2024.
Controversial statements were part of Kirk’s routine on social media, at college campus debates and on his popular podcast, the Charlie Kirk Show.
For instance, comments Kirk made about gun violence in 2023 drew condemnation at the time.
His assassination makes them more haunting now.
“I think it's worth (it) to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights,” Kirk said.
Kirk supporters say such remarks were part of his brand of activism, based on the Socratic method. But Kirk detractors say he weaponized free speech by denigrating transgender people, gay marriage supporters and affirmative action recipients.
Remarks like those didn’t dissuade people across the country, including some here in Arizona, from flocking to Kirk and joining the conversation on his podcast, like Kirk’s doctor, Zuhdi Jasser.
Jasser first met a teenage Kirk at a retreat for future leaders. Kirk’s positivity drew Jasser in.
“He was the youngest guy in our group. And I cannot tell you how strikingly brilliant he was,” Jasser said.
He came away not just with a new friend, but wanting Kirk to meet his own children. Jasser had long been urging them to maximize their abilities to serve God and country.
“My kids wouldn't listen to me. But they were listening to Charlie's show. They were listening to what he was doing. The same thing that I was telling them,” Jasser said.
He said Kirk didn’t just influence Arizona institutions like ASU, he created one in Turning Point.
Jasser said he’s still in denial that his friend is dead, even as he prepares mentally for the emotions bound to surface during Sunday’s memorial.
But the swell of outrage at Kirk’s death and the outpouring of interest and support for Turning Point is something Hoffman said he’d want to share with his friend.
“They don't know what they just did. They just woke up about more than a million Charlie Kirks, and they're not ready for what's about to happen,” high school student Taylor Sharp said Saturday.
Tim Agne/KJZZ
Taylor Sharp talks to KJZZ’s Camryn Sanchez before Turning Point USA’s candlelight vigil for Charlie Kirk at Desert Financial Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
“The shooter tried to silence Charlie and what he stood for in the movement, and the opposite is going to happen,” ASU student Bella Keenan said.
If he could speak to Kirk again, Hoffman said he’d tell his friend that God’s plan is bigger than Kirk ever thought.
“Knowing what I know now, I would tell him. I would say, ‘man, God's plan is so much bigger than you ever thought,’” Hoffman said.
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority owns the stadium in Glendale. An authority spokesperson says event contracts, done by a separate stadium manager, are confidential.
Charlie Kirk was like many Arizonans, an out-of-state transplant who made his home in the Valley. Here, he expanded a grassroots organization into a nationwide behemoth.
Former state lawmaker Paul Boyer penned an op-ed for The Arizona Republic calling Charlie Kirk “the best of us” despite the fact that Boyer was at odds with Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk will be memorialized this weekend at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. For some context on Kirk’s legacy, The Show recently spoke with someone who knew Kirk personally.
Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie Kirk founded to mobilize young, Christian conservatives, has seen a massive surge in interest and support since the activist's assassination last week.
The memorial event honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was held at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025. See KJZZ's coverage from Glendale.
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority owns the stadium in Glendale. An authority spokesperson says event contracts, done by a separate stadium manager, are confidential.
Charlie Kirk was like many Arizonans, an out-of-state transplant who made his home in the Valley. Here, he expanded a grassroots organization into a nationwide behemoth.
Former state lawmaker Paul Boyer penned an op-ed for The Arizona Republic calling Charlie Kirk “the best of us” despite the fact that Boyer was at odds with Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk will be memorialized this weekend at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. For some context on Kirk’s legacy, The Show recently spoke with someone who knew Kirk personally.
Turning Point USA, the organization Charlie Kirk founded to mobilize young, Christian conservatives, has seen a massive surge in interest and support since the activist's assassination last week.
