Erika Kirk was visibly shaken as she was being escorted out of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD) party.
On Apr. 25, the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) head and wife of the late Charlie Kirk were seen in tears while security whisked her away from the venue. In a video taken by CNN, the mom of two is seen distressed and briskly walking away, tearfully saying:
“I just want to go home.”
In another video, Erika Kirk is seen outside the hotel, surrounded by security as she fights back her tears. She is also seen standing nearby Kash Patel, who also looked affected by the incident.
Charlie Kirk’s death: A recap of Erika Kirk’s husband’s tragedy
Recalling, Erika Kirk’s husband, Charlie Kirk, died of a gunshot while in the middle of a discussion with Utah Valley University students on Sept. 10, 2025. The conservative speaker was struck in the neck by a bullet from a sniper positioned on the roof of a nearby building.
Charlie Kirk was rushed to the hospital, but didn’t make it.
President Donald Trump confirmed his death through a Truth Social post, writing:
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”
The shooter was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and was later arrested.
At the time of Charlie Kirk’s death, his wife Erika was at her mother’s doctor’s appointment in Arizona. She was monitoring her husband’s activity then, but she had to set down her phone to assist her mother.
Later, she received a phone call from Michael McCoy, the TPUSA Chief of Staff, informing her of her husband’s death.
Reports also revealed that Erika Kirk rushed out of the treatment center upon hearing the heartbreaking news and collapsed in the parking lot.
Erika Kirk addresses husband Charlie Kirk’s passing for the first time
Charlie Kirk’s widow spoke publicly for the first time on Sept. 13, 2025, to address his passing.
“If you thought my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country, and this world.”
In her speech, Erika Kirk also thanked Trump for his connection with Charlie, as well as the law enforcement and first responders.
“Mr. President, my husband loved you. And he knew that you loved him too. Your friendship was amazing.”
About 5 to 8 shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner party on Saturday, according to reports, abruptly ending the annual affair.
The gunman was later alleged to be Cole Allen, who turned out to be a mechanical engineering graduate from California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
He is currently detained at the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District.
Edited by Gladys Altamarino