Group co-founded by slain American right-wing commentator names his widow as new CEO

WASHINGTON

Turning Point USA, a conservative student group co-founded by right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, named his widow Thursday as its new CEO and board chair after he was shot and killed last week while speaking at an event in Utah.

“The Turning Point Board has unanimously elected Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board,” the group said on the US social media company X’s platform, adding that this was in line with wishes Kirk “expressed to multiple executives” in the event of his death.

In the statement, the group’s board members said Kirk had “worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests.”

“We will carry on. The attempt to destroy Charlie’s work will become our chance to make it more powerful and enduring than ever before,” it added.

Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while addressing a group of students at Utah Valley University in the city of Orem, some 40 miles (64.4 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.

Authorities have arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who faces seven charges related to Kirk's death, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and could face the death penalty if convicted.

Robinson made his first court appearance via video link on Tuesday.