(A column of opinion by Gary Reid, Publisher Emeritus)

Kirk murder: A tragedy in every aspect

The assassination of Turning Point USA Founder and Chief Executive Charlie Kirk, 31, was tragic in every aspect.

Not only did a wonderful young leader, husband and father lose his life in working toward a better America, the shooter’s life has been destroyed no matter the outcome of his trial.

The young shooter’s family is also traumatized by the event. It was reported his father was the one who convinced him to turn himself in.

Heart-rending in every respect. In fact two lives were lost in the shooting.

So sad that the shooter couldn’t have entered into a dialogue with Kirk, rather than shooting him from ambush.

Kirk’s millions of supporters related reports of his caring, Christian love for everyone.

He would debate anyone, including his fiercest critics with respect and Christian love.

One quoted him telling opponents of his deep Christian faith that he wasn’t telling them to accept his Christian beliefs but just read the Bible and think.

I appreciated the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs staff’s response to the shooting, writing Charlie Kirk set an example for all of us, then added: “Our hearts are broken for Charlie Kirk’s wife, children, and family. We pray today for them and for all who knew Charlie and were inspired by him. He modeled a fearless desire to bring necessary conversations, hard disagreements, and truth—not violence—to the public square. To honor and follow the example Charlie set for all of us, we all must be so bold, even in the face of fierce opposition, to publicly speak the truth.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him a “Once in a Century Man.

He wrote: “Charlie was 31 years old,” … adding that his own brother was only 30 when he was killed while serving in the Israeli military. “And you know, some of these people come once in a century, but it’s their legacy that has to live on.”

The lead suspect in Kirk’s assassination is 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Sunday that Robinson was living with a partner who identifies as transgender.

Virginia Allen, a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of “The Daily Signal Podcast” and “Problematic Women,” commented: “Transgenderism was just one of the many issues Kirk was vocal about, arguing the harms gender ideology has caused children. Kirk … was a strong advocate for traditional American values and constitutional freedoms.”

Vice-President, JD Vance, who credits Kirk with his nomination for vice-president, went to be with Kirk’s wife and children, three and one-years old, and also took over his daily radio show and podcast on Monday.

Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain conservative activist vowed in a primetime address Friday that her husband’s mission will only grow stronger.

“The evildoers responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they have done. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith and of God’s merciful love,” she said. “They should all know this. If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea, you have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country. In this world.”

These were her final words in an 18-minute address: “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior.”

She also said: “My husband’s favorite word in the English language was ‘earned,” she said.

“He would call all of you to be people of action who earn the future America deserves. So to all of the young people who felt inspired by my husband’s faith in hard work, all of you already know what Charlie would want you to do.”

She pledged to make Turning Point USA “the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.”

Kirk had remarked he couldn’t have been successful in launching and continuing Turning Point without Erika’s unwavering support.

Eric Trump, son of the president who termed Kirk a martyr, said Kirk was the next generation’s greatest political movement.

“I remember when Charlie walked into our office,” Trump said. “He was talking about this grand vision for what Turning Point was going to be. And he’s talking about how he wanted to kind of redefine the political movement on campuses all across the country.”

“These kids were getting indoctrinated all over the places. These teachers were just brainwashing them and how he wanted to change course. And I’ll never forget thinking about what a lofty goal it was and probably insurmountable,” Eric Trump said.

President Trump called Kirk a martyr as well as a great friend and advisor.

The shooter may have failed if his goal was to shut down discussion and debate. Kirk’s wife wrote the following message, pledging hismovement will continue: Friend, I want to thank you for loving my husband.

For standing with us in the worst days of our lives. For praying. For mourning. For remembering.

But now, I need you to listen closely...

Because the evildoers who took Charlie’s life? They have NO idea what they have done.

They didn’t just try to silence a man...

They tried to silence his message — a message of patriotism, of faith, and of God’s merciful love.

Instead, they ignited something even greater.

If they thought my husband’s mission was powerful before... They have NO idea what they have just UNLEASHED.

Not just across this country... But in me.

They have no idea the fire they’ve lit inside this wife.

And to those listening across America… Let me be clear: The movement my husband built will not die.

I refuse to let that happen. And I know all of us will refuse to let that happen, too.

Charlie’s mission will grow: Stronger. Bolder. Louder. Greater than ever.

I shared these words publicly, from my heart — just two days after I lost the love of my life.

I want you to watch. I want you to hear what Charlie meant to me. And I want you to hear what comes next: Charlie gave everything for this country. And I will never stop speaking his name.

We will not let the light he lit go out. Not now. Not ever.

For Charlie, Erika Kirk

On behalf of the Turning Point USA Family P.S. Charlie always said: “Never surrender.”