Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative influencer, was fatally shot during a speech at Utah Valley University, leaving the nation in shock. Videos from the scene, including a figure fleeing a rooftop, spread widely as the FBI released an image of a person of interest and urged the public for information.

Vice President JD Vance, a close friend, arranged for Air Force Two to return Kirk’s body to Arizona. A video showed Vance assisting with the casket in Salt Lake City, alongside Kirk’s parents and two young children. National Guard members carefully carried the mahogany coffin, underscoring the moment’s solemnity.

When the plane landed in Phoenix, air traffic control broadcasted: “Welcome home. You didn’t deserve it. May God bless your family.” The message left many in tears. Family and friends, including Kirk’s widow holding rosaries, escorted him to Hansen Mortuary Chapel.

Kirk’s funeral will be held next week, with President Donald Trump expected to attend. Trump also announced plans to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

As the investigation continues, Kirk’s death serves as a reminder of “the fragility of life and the enduring impact of his work.”