Charlie Kirk memorial statue vandalised outside Turning Point USA headquarters
Police are investigating after red paint was sprayed on a memorial statue and sign days after their unveiling in Phoenix.
A memorial statue of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has been vandalised outside the Phoenix headquarters of Turning Point USA, the organisation he co-founded. Red spray paint was applied to the statue and an accompanying sign, according to the organisation.
Phoenix police said they received calls on Sunday morning about a vandalised memorial outside the headquarters. No suspects or motive have been established.
Turning Point USA chief operating officer Tyler Bowyer said the statue’s face and references to Jesus and the Cross on the sign had been defaced. The organisation also said the statue’s neck had been targeted, linking the damage to the location where Kirk was fatally shot. That claim has not been independently verified.
Turning Point USA said it was reviewing security footage and working with law enforcement to identify those responsible. It said the statue would be restored and the signs replaced.
The statue was unveiled on Thursday to mark one year since Kirk’s death. Kirk was fatally shot while speaking to students at Utah Valley University and had been a prominent ally of US President Donald Trump.
Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Kirk, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and may face the death penalty.
