Family Discussion: Fatal Shooting

The following article is designed to help parents dialogue about a current event with their children. It was written at a 7th grade reading level.

READ

Charlie Kirk, a well-known public voice for young conservatives, died after being shot yesterday.

The 31-year-old was speaking at an outdoor Q&A at Utah Valley University when a bullet struck him in the neck. He immediately collapsed as security rushed him to the hospital, where he died. President Trump confirmed Mr. Kirk’s death in a post on Truth Social.

The university quickly went into lockdown. Students and staff stayed inside while police searched the campus building to building. Police questioned two suspects, but both were let go after they were found not to be the shooter. A search is still underway. The FBI got involved and believes it was a “targeted attack.”

Kirk was most known for co-founding Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. The organization promotes conservative ideas at liberal-leaning schools. Over the past decade, he grew a big media presence and was a loyal supporter of President Trump. He was married and the father of two young children.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

In times of fear and violence, we turn to “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Join us in praying for the Kirk family, the community, law enforcement, the suspect, and everyone involved.

REFLECT

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?

Prayer.

God of mercy, come near.
Come near to the family of Charlie Kirk as their world rips apart.
Come near to the community that is shaken and gripped by fear.
Come near to us as this act of violence unravels any sense of security,
shatters any semblance of peace.
Emmanuel, you entered a violent world
and suffered at the hands of violent men
to buy a costly redemption.
You have come near in bitter darkness.
We cling to you.
We depend on you for justice and for hope.
Amen.

(See Isaiah 53:3-5; Matthew 1:20-2:18)

What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?

The hope of Christ and the need to share it.

Sometimes we forget just how urgent our need is for deliverance from death. We get caught up in our busy routines and live business as usual, forgetting how desperate our human condition is apart from Christ and how urgently we need a Savior.

Violence shakes us up and puts sin and death right in our faces. It reminds us that the stakes are high—not merely for one-time conversion, but for continual repentance and faith. Call others to turn to Jesus boldly and winsomely, because “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord... Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:7-9 CSB).

RESPOND

• Discuss: What is it that keeps you from seeing your desperate need to turn to Jesus daily? What keeps you from sharing the good news with others? How can you encourage one another as a family?

• Memorize 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (CSB).

• Continue to pray for everyone involved in this tragedy and pray that the high stakes of salvation would motivate nearness to Jesus and mission focus in your family.

Credit: Decaf (The Pour Over for Families). "Charlie Kirk’s Death." September 11, 2025.