Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika tearfully explains why she forgives his killer

Erika Kirk delivered an emotional statement at Charlie Kirk's memorial

Erika Kirk has shared why she has 'forgiven' her husband's murderer.

On September 10, Kirk was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University as part of his Turning Point USA comeback tour, and the 31-year-old was quickly taken to the hospital by his security team, where he sadly passed away.

Two days after the shooting, the authorities announced they had arrested the suspected shooter, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22.

Robinson has since been charged in connection with Kirk's death, with some of his seven counts being aggravated murder, two counts of obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.

Among the many speakers at Kirk's memorial was his widow, Erika Kirk, who expressed that she had 'forgiven' her husband's killer.

In her speech, she mentioned that Kirk aimed to 'help save young men, just like the one who took his life'.

"That young man, that young man," the 36-year-old stated. "On the cross, our savior said: ‘Father, forgive them for they not know what they do.’

"That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because that is what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do.

"The answer to hate is not hate. The gospel teaches us that the answer is love, always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

Elsewhere in her speech, Erika also shared what a surgeon told her about Kirk's death when she visited the hospital in Utah to see his body.

She expressed: "I saw the wound that ended his life. I felt everything he would expect to feel. I felt shock, horror, and a level of heartache that I didn’t even know existed.

"But there was something else too. Even in death, I could still see the man I love... I noticed the faintest smile on his lips...

"Even the doctor mentioned that it was so sudden that even if Charlie had been shot right in the operating room, nothing could have been done. There was no pain, no fear, no suffering.

"One moment, Charlie was engaged in what he loved—arguing and debating on campus, advocating for the gospel and truth before a large audience—then he blinked.

He blinked and saw his savior in paradise."

Erika concluded her statement by saying: “Charlie’s life marked a turning point for this country. It was a miracle... Choose prayer, choose courage, choose beauty, choose adventure, choose family, choose a life of faith. Most importantly, choose Christ.”