A newly unveiled memorial statue of conservative activist Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA’s Phoenix headquarters was defaced with red paint on September 13, 2026, just days after its installation to mark the one-year anniversary of his death. Phoenix police are investigating the overnight vandalism.
Red Paint Defaces Memorial Outside Phoenix Headquarters
The eight-foot bronze monument honoring the slain co-founder of Turning Point USA was discovered covered in red spray paint on the morning of September 13, 2026, with police reporting that calls were received just after 8 a.m. regarding the memorial located near 48th Street and Beverly Road. Phoenix police confirmed they responded to calls regarding the vandalized memorial outside the youth-focused political organization’s Arizona facility.
Tyler Bowyer, chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, posted photographs of the damage on X. Tyler Bowyer wrote that that morning they had woken up to radical criminals vandalising their headquarters, highlighting that a separate informational poster sign near the statue had also been defaced with spray paint.
The monument had been unveiled publicly just days earlier on Thursday, September 10, to mark the exact one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death. Kirk was fatally shot at the age of 31 while hosting a debate event before an audience at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Utah-based sculptor Quintin McCann stated that he began sculpting Kirk’s likeness almost immediately after the assassination, staying at work that evening to start the portrait because the death had profoundly impacted him.
Supporters Condemn Vandalism and Alleged Mockery
Supporters and organization leaders expressed outrage online, noting that the red paint was concentrated heavily around the statue’s neck and face. A sad face could be seen on the torso, while red paint also covered the left hand and hats. Many observers interpreted the placement as a deliberate reference to the fatal gunshot wound Kirk sustained during the Utah campus event.
Additional damage targeted a nearby memorial display featuring a portrait of Kirk alongside a religious quote. Photos from the scene showed a large red X
painted across the face, while the word Jesus
on the memorial text was crossed out. Turning Point USA also highlighted a New Testament quote attributed to Jesus in response: Turning Point USA highlighted a New Testament quote attributed to Jesus in response, stating that if the world hates you, you should keep in mind that it hated him first.
Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point chief operating officer, stated via X that that morning they had woken up to radical criminals vandalizing their headquarters, noting that the vandals had crossed over Charlie’s face, scratched out Jesus and the Cross, and sprayed red paint on his neck.
Turning Point representatives released a formal statement condemning the attack as diabolical
and noting that the incident occurred during the overnight hours. The organization stated it is reviewing surveillance footage and cooperating with law enforcement to identify who did this and hold them accountable. Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, responded publicly by stating that while they thought a bullet and spray paint would silence or obscure his legacy, it would only make his voice louder and spread further.
Criminal Proceedings Continue in the 2025 Killing
The vandalism arrived as legal proceedings move forward in the underlying murder case. Following the shooting, Kirk was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital before being pronounced dead hours later.
Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and other criminal counts, and prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell additionally noted a reaction stating that such acts would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Phoenix law enforcement officials have asked anyone with information regarding the overnight defacement of the Phoenix headquarters memorial to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
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