A bronze tribute to the slain activist stood for three days before someone showed up with a can of red paint.
A new eight-foot bronze statue of Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, was found covered in red spray paint on Sunday morning, three days after it was unveiled to mark one year since the conservative activist was shot and killed, Arizona’s Family first reported.
Phoenix police said officers responded to calls of vandalism to a memorial near 4900 E. Beverly Road, in the city’s Ahwatukee Foothills area, around 8 a.m. According to ABC15, police described what appeared to be red spray paint on both the statue and a nearby sign, with unreadable words scrawled across the sign and a frowning face drawn on the statue itself.
Photos published by The Arizona Republic show a red X painted over Kirk’s face on both the statue and a memorial poster standing in front of it, along with red paint around the figure’s neck and on one of the baseball caps in its hands. Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
The statue, created by artist Quintin McCann, shows Kirk mid-toss, throwing hats into a crowd in the “FREEDOM” T-shirt he was known for, a cross hanging from his neck. Turning Point USA unveiled it on Thursday, the first anniversary of his death, and mourners left flowers, flags and handwritten notes around its base through the weekend.
No suspects have been identified. Police have not said whether surveillance footage from the headquarters is being reviewed, and anyone with information is being asked to contact Phoenix Police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
‘Evil Never Sleeps’: Turning Point and Supporters Rally Around Erika Kirk
Arizona Rep. Abe Hamadeh called the vandalism “truly abhorrent” on X, The Daily Wire reported, and Turning Point spokesman Andrew Kolvet told The Gateway Pundit the overnight timing “only underscores something we’ve sadly come to understand in a whole new way. Evil never sleeps.”
Erika Kirk, who leads Turning Point USA as CEO and board chair, addressed the vandalism in a post on X, and the replies became a show of support for the widow rather than a debate about the crime. “So disrespectful. Hopefully they catch those that did this horrible act. I think Charlie would want us to pray for them. RIP Charlie.,” wrote @HanksGirl98, while @TJacobs8248 was blunter: “I am absolutely disgusted at this, hope these people are comfortable in their jail cells.”
Others treated the paint as a rallying cry. “Vandals will not win. They will have short lived victories, but believers will keep the movement alive,” said @HongistoMc, and @lillyallotey added, “The more they destroy The more we will build. If they make it loud, we will make it louder. We are Charlie Kirk.”
Others offered advice or plain weariness. “Erika, please put up camera’s so we can catch the thief’s in the night who do this damage!!,” wrote @MonaVeach. “What a shame, but not a surprise. Y’all keeping going!! Prayers for you all because this can be disheartening,” said @FalcinelliPam.
Critical replies were almost absent. No one has claimed responsibility, and police have not given a motive.
The statue was meant to give supporters a permanent place to gather a year after Kirk’s killing. For now, it stands behind police caution tape with red paint still across its face.
