By Jeanne WallPublished September 25, 2025
NEW JERSEY — Hundreds gathered Monday evening at Veterans Park Pavilion in Berkeley Township, for a candlelight vigil honoring Christian evangelist, conservative leader, founder of Turning Point USA, and now a martyr: Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was assassinated during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University when he was struck by a sniper’s bullet. Investigators identified the weapon as a high-powered rifle, and after an extensive manhunt, the alleged assassin, 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, was arrested.
Prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and related offenses and have announced their intent to seek the death penalty.
Millions of Americans spent Sunday afternoon watching Kirk’s memorial service broadcast around the world from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where nearly 100,000 people gathered in person, to mourn him.
The Arizona Memorial for Kirk made history with a powerful lineup of speakers, including President Donald Trump, conservative media figures and religious leaders.
The most impactful speaker was Kirk’s wife Erika, who in her remarks shared with the audience that she had forgiven the young man who murdered her husband. She stunned and inspired millions of people around the world, with her unyielding faith in Christ.
Rep. Chris Smith commented at the vigil in NJ on Tuesday evening, “Erika Kirk’s beautiful eulogy for her beloved husband, Charlie, on Sunday was powerful… A woman of deep faith and strength, Erika said that when she saw Charlie’s body, it was a moment of horror and a level of heartache that she never knew existed. Yet, like Jesus on the cross, she said she forgives the man who assassinated her husband.”
According to Fox News, the memorial on Sunday for Kirk ranked as one of the largest public gatherings ever organized for a private citizen. Americans who were not there in person were able to join virtually.
Fox News Channel alone drew 4.8 million total viewers for the Sunday memorial, which was nearly 5 hours long.
Yet, even with the many hours of honoring and remembering Kirk, Americans need more.
So, local leaders are continuing to unite communities to honor Kirk.
The candlelight vigil held Tuesday in Berkeley Township, was appreciated greatly by the hundreds who attended.
The event also honored other victims of recent violence, including Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska and former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.
Hosted by Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, the elected officials participating, in addition to Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), were Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), State Senator Carmen Amato (R), Assemblymen Brian Rumpf and Greg Myhre (R), the entire Ocean County Board of Commissioners, and Berkeley Township Mayor John Bacchione (R). Also attending the event was Jarrett Branch, the Regional Director for Turning Point USA Faith.
“Charlie Kirk was an extraordinarily bright and incredibly courageous leader, who loved Jesus above all things, who deeply loved his dear wife, Erika, and children,” Rep. Chris Smith said. “He was absolutely committed to non-violence and to treating everyone with respect. Asked how he would want to be remembered, Charlie said he wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith. And so, he will.”
Kirk’s mission, Turning Point USA, (TPUSA), wrote in a September 16 post on X that it has received more than 54,000 requests from high school or college students across the country, to either begin a chapter or join an existing one. According to TPUSA, there were about 1,200 high school chapters and 900 college branches before the assassination.
At the vigil in NJ Tuesday, participants also remembered Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed in North Carolina in August, and Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were assassinated in June. Local leaders emphasized that these tragedies underscore the urgent need for civility and nonviolence in American political life.
Rep. Chris Smith Speaks at Vigil Honoring Charlie Kirk and Other Victims of Political Violence | Middletown, NJ News TAPinto | TAPinto
Remembering the Great Charlie Kirk and recommitting to
achieving his noble goals
Excerpts of remarks by Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester)
Veterans Park, Berkeley, NJ 9/23/2025
Erika Kirk’s beautiful eulogy for her beloved husband Charlie on
Sunday was powerful—and inspiring.
A woman of deep faith and strength, Erika said that when she saw
Charlie’s body, it was a moment of horror and a level of heartache that
she never knew existed.
Yet like Jesus on the cross, she said she forgives the man who
assassinated her husband. And that a major focus of Charlie’s ministry
was the lost boys of the west—like his assassin.
Astonishing.
What faith.
What strength.
We need to pray for her and her children.
I say again, we need to pray for Erika and her children.
Charlie Kirk was an extraordinarily bright and incredibly
courageous leader who loved Jesus above all things, who deeply loved
his dear wife Erika and children and ever true to the Lord’s admonition
in Leviticus 18:19 and Matthew 22:39, he loved his neighbor as
himself—loving even those who hated and smeared him.
He was absolutely committed to non-violence and to treating
everyone with respect.
Political assassination is the ultimate act of violence, disrespect
and cowardice.
Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley
and John F Kennedy were assassinated by cowards and President
Trump survived a bullet aimed at his head that miraculously only grazed
his ear.
This past June Minnesota state Speaker Melissa Hortman and her
husband Mark were assassinated—again by a coward.
Violence is never justified. Never.
In our democracy, disagreement must only be engaged with
dialogue.
Charlie Kirk faithfully lived the good news of the Gospel and
inspired many to emulate his faith, goodness, tenacity, benign boldness
and courage in the public square.
Asked how he would want to be remembered Charlie said he
wanted to be remembered for the courage of his faith.
And so, he will.
With clarity, he fought evil which often masquerades as a wolf in
sheep’s clothing or as an angel of light.
He was proudly pro-life and cared deeply for mothers, fathers and
their precious born and unborn children—the family. He championed
the culture of life to protect the weakest and most vulnerable.
Charlie Kirk brought bright light to darkness and exposed
hypocrisy and misguided policies.
He brilliantly led by both word and example.
Not only did he pierce the fog of modern-day leftist deception and
doublespeak, he persuaded with sound argument and as Abraham
Lincoln urged—with malice towards none.
As Charlie’s mentor Frank Turek said so eloquently at Sunday’s
Memorial Service, Charlie Kirk strived every day to make heaven itself
more crowded with brand new saints. Saints like Charlie who
courageously defended their faith.
His impact on the young was—and continues to be—especially
amazing. As Charlie himself predicted, Turning Point would never be a
flash in the pan movement.
Tonight, we not only remember and honor the great Charlie Kirk
but recommit ourselves to his noble goals.
