Christian author and speaker Frank Turek was in shock following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, during an event at Utah Valley University. In a recent podcast episode, he recounted the tragic events of September 10, including the frantic rush to the hospital where doctors ultimately declared Kirk, age 31, dead.
Turek had developed a close bond with Kirk after being asked to lead a Christian apologetics session a few years prior. In the podcast, he shared that he came to see Kirk as a son.
On that fateful morning, Turek joined Kirk and his team as they drove to the university to prepare for discussions with students. After a brief stop to engage with local entrepreneurs, they arrived at the outdoor venue, where Kirk took photos with supporters and energetically tossed hats into the crowd.
Despite raising concerns about potential safety risks from nearby buildings, Turek noted that Kirk seemed unfazed and confident about his personal safety, thanks to the local police presence.
Embodying the moment’s excitement, Turek was about 30 feet from Kirk when he heard a gunshot and watched in horror as Kirk fell backwards.
Turek recalled his immediate reaction: “I’m still on the phone. My daughter-in-law later said these were my first words: ‘If your son was attacked, what would you do?’ I had to act if there was any hope to save him, so I jumped into the car.”
Together with the security team, he raced to the hospital, performing CPR as they drove, praying all the way.
“Charlie is so tall he couldn’t even close the door,” Turek said. “We drove four miles to the hospital, and I kept shouting, ‘Come on, Charlie! Come on!’”
Yet despite their efforts, Turek soon realized Kirk was likely lost to them. “He wasn’t there. His eyes were vacant, looking beyond,” he reflected, believing Kirk was already in heaven, having suffered no pain in his final moments.
Turek confirmed that, despite attempts to revive him, Kirk was declared dead by a surgeon within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital, where staff described his injuries as “devastating.”
Kirk’s team quickly reached out to his wife, Erica, arranging for her to fly to the hospital. Turek mentioned that upon her arrival, she pledged to carry on her husband’s legacy, expressing her determination in the face of loss.
“She said, ‘He loved you and he was doing what he wanted.’ We embraced, and she conveyed her commitment to uphold Charlie’s legacy. This woman will not back down. If the assassin thinks he’s extinguished Charlie’s legacy, he’s mistaken; she will lead the charge,” Turek stated.
As police conducted their investigation, Turek and the team were initially unable to reclaim their belongings, including the SUVs they traveled in. Yet Turek later discovered that Kirk’s cross necklace, which Erica wanted, was in his computer bag.
Heartbreaking photographs emerged later, showing Erica holding the necklace while mourning her husband in a chapel in Arizona.
Throughout the podcast, Turek portrayed Kirk as a bold and tireless Christian leader, highlighting his humility, dedication, and love for his family, while countering accusations that he had misrepresented some of Kirk’s more divisive statements.
Just a day before his death, Kirk had sent Turek a text featuring a Bible verse, 1 Corinthians 16:9, emphasizing a message of perseverance.
