Frank Turek gives emotional testimony to the commemorative service Charlie Kirk

The Christian author Frank Turek paid an emotional tribute to the founder of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk during his enormous commemorative service on Sunday, recalling both the last moments of the conservative activist and his strong faith.

While speaking at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, before tens of thousands of mourning and political leaders, Turek told only 25 feet distance when Kirk was fatally killed on September 10 at the University of Utah Valley in Orem.

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Erika Kirk “wanted me to share with you what happened after this blow rang on September 10,” Turek told the crowd. “When this shot sounded, I took a step towards him, but his security team was immediately on him. … Charlie, being like a son for me, I ran to the security team, and we ran to the SUV together.”

Frank Turek speaks during a commemorative service for the conservative commentator killed Charlie Kirk at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025. (Daniel Cole / Reuters)

Inside the vehicle, Turek described how team members rushed to administer first aid, but said Kirk had died instantly. He also assured the crowd that the conservative activist felt no pain in his last moments.

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“I want you to know that we have done everything we could to save Charlie,” said Turek. “But Charlie was already gone. His face looked at mine, but he didn’t look at me. He looked at me in front of eternity. And if it was comfort, I learned later that Charlie felt no pain. He died instantly.”

Charlie Kirk, on the left, and his wife, Erika, during the inaugural ball of Turning Point USA at the Salamander hotel on January 19, 2025, in Washington, DC (Samuel Corum / Getty Images)

About five years ago, Turek said Kirk asked him if he mentions him on proof of Christianity.

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“Now it will be difficult to mentor someone smarter than you,” said Turek. “However, the only thing that went beyond Charlie’s intellect was his humility, and therefore the few things I knew he didn’t want, he wanted me to share with him.”

Turek told the public that Charlie Kirk “at the moment is in paradise”, but not because of his public achievements or his political impact.

Participants hold panels in the commemorative service of the political activist Charlie Kirk at the State Farm Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Eric Thayer / Getty Images)

“Now I want you to know that Charlie right now is in paradise,” said Turek. “Not because he was a big husband and father, not because he saved millions of children in the dark on university campuses, not because he changed mind and chased votes to save the country, not because he sacrificed himself for his Savior. Charlie Kirk is in paradise because his Savior was sacrificed for Charlie Kirk.”

The author also praised Erika Kirk, who married Charlie Kirk in 2021 and is the mother of their two children, describing her as a “force of nature”.

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“Every morning, Erika gets up, the devil yells:” Oh no. She is awake again! “” Said Turek. “And ladies and gentlemen, let us honor Jesus. Let’s honor Charlie. Let us honor Erika so that when we wake up every morning, the devil yells:” Oh, no! They are awake again. They were born again. “”