Charlie Kirk's wife Erika shared Bible verse hours before he was shot dead at Utah Valley University

OREM, UTAH: Just hours before Charlie Kirk was gunned down on stage in Utah, his wife Erika Kirk (née Frantzve) had turned to scripture for comfort.

“Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” she posted on X at 9:45 am Wednesday, September 10.

By lunchtime, the 31-year-old conservative firebrand had been fatally shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Tragedy at Utah Valley University

Charlie, the cofounder of Turning Point USA, was in the middle of his “Prove Me Wrong” campus event when the chaos erupted. Around 12:10 pm local time, shots rang out from a nearby building about 200 yards away.

A university spokesperson said the gunfire came roughly 20 minutes into Charlie’s debate. Bill Mason, Commissioner for the Utah Department of Public Safety, later confirmed that Charlie was rushed to the hospital in a “private vehicle,” but he didn’t make it.

No suspect had been identified at the time of publication. FBI agent Kash Patel and Utah Gov Spencer Cox announced a “person of interest” was taken into custody but later released.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel, 45, said.

Gov Cox called the shooting a “political assassination.”

Political shockwaves

The killing sent shockwaves across Washington. President Donald Trump immediately blamed the “radical left” in an evening video address.

Former presidents across the aisle joined in condemning the violence. Joe Biden wrote, “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”

Barack Obama also weighed in on X, “We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”

A marriage marked by faith and family

Just a few months before the tragedy, Charlie and Erika had celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary. “Today marks 4 years of being married to @mrserikakirk. Second to accepting Jesus, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. She is bold, smart, loyal, and beautiful,” Charlie wrote. “Happy anniversary Erika, I love you.”

The couple married in 2021 in a “very intimate” Arizona ceremony after starting to date in 2019. They went on to welcome daughter Sarah Rose in August 2022 and a son in May 2024. The boy’s name has not been revealed.

Charlie often said he knew Erika was “The One” after their first “very, very long dinner,” telling a Turning Point USA audience last year that he realized it “almost immediately.” Erika shared her own take just weeks ago on Instagram.

“Just for some encouragement, sure you can be ‘in love’, but my goodness when you found ‘The One’ and you’re in covenant, that’s a whole different level of love. And to the one who’s still waiting, hold steady. Don’t lose heart. God is faithful and Heaven is never late. His story for you will absolutely be worth the wait. I promise. I truly promise,” she wrote.