Mourners have been gathering at the Phoenix headquarters of Turning Point USA to pay their respects to founder Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot at an event in Utah on Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Charlie Kirk started Turning Point USA in Illinois, but he moved the organization to a business park near a Phoenix resort in 2019.

Kirk made visits to all three of Arizona's major public university campuses — Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona — as well as GCU, most recently in fall 2024 for the "You're Being Brainwashed" tour. Kirk also attended voter registration events across Arizona college campuses.

What started as an organization to engage young people in conservative politics reached the heights of power under Charlie Kirk's leadership.

Conservative leader Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a political event at a Utah college. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Kirk has long focused on energizing young conservatives with speaking events like the one at Utah Valley University where the shooting occurred.

Kirk launched Turning Point USA at 18, using his parents’ garage in Illinois as its headquarters. A gifted communicator with a passion for Donald Trump-style conservative politics, he grew the group into a massive nationwide network comprised of over 1000 high school and college chapters.

Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10. Kirk, 31, was attacked during a question-and-answer session with students.