If you’ve been following the news lately, you know the atmosphere surrounding the Kirk family has been heavy. Since the tragic events of September 10, 2025, people have been scouring the internet for details. One question keeps popping up in forums and comment sections: was Charlie Kirks kids there when the shooting happened at Utah Valley University?
Honestly, the confusion makes sense. Charlie was a guy who lived his life in the spotlight, but when it came to his children, he was like a vault. He and his wife, Erika Frantzve, made a very deliberate choice to keep their kids' faces and names off social media. It's a rare move for a "public" family, but one they stood by firmly.
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The Day at Utah Valley University
Let's look at the facts of that Tuesday in Orem, Utah. Charlie Kirk was on his "American Comeback" tour, doing what he always did: standing at a "Prove Me Wrong" table, debating students. It was an open-air event. High energy. Dozens of phones recording every word.
When the shots rang out, the chaos was instantaneous. Because Charlie’s daughter had famously appeared in a viral clip running into his arms on a TV set just months prior, many feared the children might have been traveling with him.
They weren't.
The children—a daughter, then age three, and a son, who had just turned one—were not at the Utah Valley University campus during the assassination. They were safe at home. Erika Kirk later confirmed this in her emotional first public address, where she described the heartbreaking moment she had to return home and face her daughter's question: "Where's daddy?"
A Private Life in a Public Storm
Charlie was 31 years old. Just a month shy of his 32nd birthday. He had built Turning Point USA into a juggernaut, but his personal life was surprisingly quiet. He married Erika, a former Miss Arizona, in May 2021.
They had two kids:
- A daughter, born in August 2022.
- A son, born in May 2024.
While some outlets have whispered names like "Sarah Rose" for the daughter, Charlie himself was adamant about privacy. In June 2025, just months before his death, he told an interviewer, "We have a girl and a boy, and it's no one's business what their names are or their faces." He wasn't being rude; he was being a protective dad.
The reality is that while the public saw the political firebrand, the kids saw a guy who was "working for Jesus," as Erika later told their daughter. It’s a heavy legacy for toddlers to carry.
The Viral Misconception
So why do people keep asking if the kids were there?
It likely stems from how often Charlie spoke about family values. He didn't just talk the talk; he incorporated his role as a father into his messaging. People grew attached to the idea of his family. When the news broke that he had been shot by a sniper, the immediate human instinct was to worry about the most vulnerable people in his orbit.
There was also a specific video that circulated widely shortly after the tragedy. It showed Charlie's daughter running onto a set to hug him. Because it was everywhere on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, some users mistakenly thought it was filmed on the day of the shooting. It wasn't. That was an old clip from a much happier time.
What the Family is Facing Now
Since September, the Kirk family has stayed relatively private, though Erika has made a few high-profile appearances. She accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his behalf in October 2025. During that ceremony in the Rose Garden, she shared a message from their three-year-old. It was a "Happy Birthday" wish to a father who wasn't there to hear it.
There have also been some messy, unconfirmed rumors about custody disagreements between Erika and Charlie’s parents. You’ve probably seen the clickbait headlines. Most of these appear to be fueled by social media drama rather than legal filings, but it highlights how difficult things get when a public figure leaves behind such a young family.
Why This Matters for the Legacy
The fact that the kids weren't there is a small mercy in a massive tragedy. They didn't have to witness the violence firsthand. However, they are growing up in the shadow of a father who became a martyr to some and a lightning rod to others.
The daughter is old enough to have "faint memories," according to family friends, but the son was only one. He won't remember the sound of his father's voice outside of YouTube clips. That's the part that sticks with people, regardless of their politics.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep up with the Kirk family or understand the timeline better, here is how to navigate the information:
- Verify the Source: Much of the "Erika drama" on YouTube is speculative. Stick to official statements from Turning Point USA or Erika Kirk’s verified accounts for actual news.
- Respect the Privacy Barrier: The family still does not share the children's faces. Any accounts claiming to have "leaked" photos of the Kirk kids are likely scam accounts or violating the family's explicit wishes.
- Look at the Legal Proceedings: The investigation into the Utah shooting is ongoing. Developments there will likely be the only time we get concrete updates on the family's official status regarding the estate.
- Estate Planning Lessons: As morbid as it sounds, many financial experts have used this case to highlight why young parents need a will. Charlie’s sudden death at 31 is a textbook example of why "waiting until you're older" isn't a plan.
The Kirk children are currently being raised in Eastern Pennsylvania, away from the immediate frenzy of the political circuit. While their father's name is now on parkways and memorialized in scholarship funds, their daily lives remain what Charlie always wanted them to be: private.