Memorial statue of Charlie Kirk vandalized in Phoenix

A memorial statue honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk was vandalized in Phoenix, Arizona, on the morning of September 13. The statue, which had been unveiled just days earlier, was defaced with red paint. A sign located near the Turning Point headquarters was also spray-painted during the incident.

The statue was originally installed on September 10 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death. Kirk was fatally shot during a Turning Point event in Utah on September 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, the individual accused of the shooting, has entered a plea of not guilty to murder charges and faces a potential death penalty if convicted.

Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of Turning Point Action—the youth-focused political organization Kirk founded—confirmed the vandalism on social media. Bowyer shared images of the damaged property and characterized the act as the work of radical criminals.

Phoenix police confirmed they responded to reports of the vandalism at the organization's headquarters on Sunday morning. Authorities have requested that anyone with information regarding the incident contact the department.

Kirk’s career and public legacy remain a subject of significant national division. Supporters frequently characterized him as a defender of conservative values and an advocate for public debate who successfully galvanized young voters.

Conversely, civil rights advocates have long criticized Kirk for his rhetoric. Critics have described his public remarks as racist, anti-immigrant, transphobic, and misogynist, pointing to his comments regarding Black Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, Muslims, and immigrants as evidence of his divisive influence.