Erika Kirk reveals she urged Charlie to wear bulletproof vest before he was shot

GLENDALE, ARIZONA: With only hours remaining before Charlie Kirk's memorial, Erika Kirk gave an interview recounting the haunting moments that followed her husband's killing.

In a shocking revelation during her recent conversation with The New York Times, she said she had urged him to wear a bulletproof vest before he was shot and killed while making an appearance at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Did Charlie Kirk refuse to wear a bulletproof vest before being shot?

Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, spoke candidly about the days leading up to his death and the grief that followed. His death, notably, came after a year of escalating death threats and growing security concerns.

She recalled urging her husband to wear a bulletproof vest during a pre-event dinner, but he refused. Charlie explained that he felt secure with his longtime security team, who had been traveling with him for months.

He also pointed to the additional safety measures in place for the Utah event, including a suggestion from a friend to install bulletproof glass for his speeches.

Erika had originally planned to join him on the trip, but she stayed behind to care for her mother, who was undergoing medical treatment. She expected to reunite with Charlie in Colorado at the next stop on the tour.

Erika Kirk opens up about the trauma after Charlie Kirk’s death

Erika, now raising the couple’s two young children on her own, shared that it’s often the smallest reminders that are the most painful, like Charlie’s towels still lying on the bathroom floor. In an interview with The Times, a heartbroken Erika said, “To this day, I can’t go into my bedroom,” adding, “I’m rotating where I sleep.” Despite the immense loss, she explained that caring for their children has helped keep her grounded.

Erika recalled being offered the chance to see his body at the hospital, but was advised against it. She described it as one of the most disturbing experiences of her life. Still, she stood her ground, telling hospital staff, “With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband.”

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for a memorial service honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist, at a football stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The event is expected to draw a large crowd, and security has been significantly tightened, as President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.