A year after Charlie Kirk's killing, where key figures stand now
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The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk upended the lives of several Utah figures, some of whom are still grappling through the aftermath a year after the fatal shooting.
The big picture: The 31-year-old's killing on Sept. 10, 2025, in a quiet college town dubbed "Family City USA" sent shockwaves across the nation.
Here's how things have changed:
Gov. Spencer Cox: The Utah governor's "disagree better" platform hit the national stage after he called on Americans to resist "rage" following Kirk's death.
The big picture: He released his new book on the topic, "Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt," two days before the one-year mark.
What we're watching: Cox's next move.
- He's been vocal about not running for president and recently told Politico that the U.S. Senate is not on his radar, either.
"I'm an executive. I want to continue to work in important places. I have to retire at some point, so it'd be nice to make some money," Cox told Politico. "I took a huge pay cut to take these jobs, and that's important, too, for my family."
Former UVU president Astrid Tuminez: The university president said she was on her way to Italy the day of the shooting to meet Pope Leo XIV.
- She was grieving after her husband, Jeffrey Tolk, died unexpectedly that year. After learning about the shooting, she headed back to UVU.
- Four months later, Tuminez announced she was stepping down from her role in May 2026 after almost eight years at the helm. At the time, she was the longest-serving university president in the state.
- She told KSL that no specific event led to her departure, but she noted the past year had been "very difficult for me personally."
The latest: Tuminez has since signed with a literary agency for her debut book, tentatively titled "Slum Girl," which is expected to chronicle her upbringing in the Philippines and her rise to lead the state's largest university.
- She was replaced by Jon Anderson in July.
Erika Kirk: Following the shooting, Erika Kirk flew on Air Force Two with Vice President Vance and second lady Usha Vance to take her husband's casket to Arizona.
- About a week later, she was named the new CEO of Turning Point USA, the organization her late husband co-founded in 2012.
- During Kirk's memorial service, she publicly forgave the man charged with his murder, Tyler Robinson.
- She attended preliminary hearings in Provo in July and last week, when a judge ruled the murder case could go to trial.
What they're saying: In a statement earlier this month, she said the ruling "marks an important step in our family's pursuit of justice for him."
The murder case: Robinson, 23, is facing the death penalty after a Utah judge ruled earlier this month that there is enough evidence for him to stand trial for aggravated murder.
- He pleaded not guilty to all counts, including obstruction of justice and tampering with a witness.
Catch up quick: During the proceedings, prosecutors presented surveillance footage they say tracked his movements on campus, along with a video interview with his former romantic partner, who said Robinson expressed regret over the shooting.
George Zinn: The man who yelled, "I shot him!" in the moments after Kirk's killing was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in January.
- When authorities questioned Zinn, they found child sex abuse material on his phone, according to court documents.
- He pleaded no contest to an obstruction of justice charge, a third-degree felony, and pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.