Charlie Kirk to be honored by lowered flags in Arizona following assassination

PHOENIX — State Government buildings in Arizona will fly flags at half-staff to honor Charlie Kirk following his death on Wednesday.

Kirk, CEO and co-founder Turning Point USA, was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University to kick off his group’s American Comeback Tour of college campuses.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Sunday. Residents and businesses were encouraged to do the same.

The order came after President Donald Trump put out a proclamation commanding flags be lowered at the White House, public buildings, military posts, naval stations, on naval vessels and at U.S. embassies and consulates.

What happened to Charlie Kirk in Utah?

Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of Trump, was shot in the neck and killed in what Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called a political assassination.

No suspects were in custody as of late Wednesday but authorities were searching for a person of interest and calling on those who attended the event and have any information for help.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA when he was 18 with tea party activist William Montgomery in suburban Chicago. The company targets younger people and holds events on liberal-leaning college campuses where many GOP activists were nervous to go.

He was an unabashed Christian conservative and often made provocative statements about gender, race and politics.

Kirk also backed Trump during his presidential run in 2016 and endorsed gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs.

In addition to flags being flown half-staff, there was a banner put up outside Turning Point USA’s Phoenix headquarters. It has a picture of Kirk, the company’s logo and reads, “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior.”

Flags were already to be lowered at state government buildings on Thursday in remembrance of the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Related

Charlie Kirk dead after shooting at Utah college, police still looking for suspectMeghan McCain honors her late friend Charlie Kirk after his assassination in UtahArizona politicians react to death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in UtahHow Charlie Kirk rose from grassroots activist to influential conservative figureDepartment of Health confirms first case of Clade I mpox in Arizona but says public risk lowJay Feely, Amish Shah win respective primaries, will face each other for CD-1