U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) is looking to honor the life and legacy of conservative icon Charlie Kirk with a National Day of Remembrance. Kirk, who founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley State University on Wednesday.
"I will be proposing a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk," Patronis announced this week. "He championed free speech, civil dialogue, faith, and in his passing, will forever symbolize the best of America. I want future generations of American children to know his name forever."
Kirk launched Turning Point USA in 2012. The organization quickly became one of the largest conservative avocation platforms in the country with Kirk at the forefront.
Turning Point USA had 4.5 million followers on Instagram as of Friday, and Charlie Kirk's personal account had 10.3 million.
President Donald Trump announced that a suspect was in custody in Kirk's murder during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday morning.
"With a high degree of certainty, we have him in custody. Everyone did a great job. We worked with the local police, the governor. Everybody did a great job," Trump said.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, along with FBI Director Kash Patel and other law enforcement officials, announced the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson during a news conference in Utah.
"We got him," Cox said.
Patel praised the quick work by the FBI and law enforcement personnel in apprehending Robinson, saying, "In thirty-three hours, we have made historic progress for Charlie," adding that the department received more than 11,000 leads in the case.
"The FBI and our partners are proud to stand here today together to bring justice to the family of Charlie Kirk and honor his memory," Patel said.
Kirk was 31 years old. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and two young children.
"To my friend, Charlie. Rest now, brother. We have the watch, and I'll see you in Valhalla," Patel added.
