Charlie Kirk murder: Wife Erika trolled online following the political assassination of husband on Utah campus

Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika Kirk has been heartlessly trolled on social media following the political assassination of her husband at the Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Kirk, 31, a well-known conservative influencer, was shot in the neck. The shooter remains on the run.

Erika, who is also known as Erika Frantzve, is a model and ministry leader, as well as a former basketball player for Regis University, who was crowned Miss Arizona in 2012.

The couple had two children.

During his speeches, Kirk was strident in his defence of the US second amendment, saying Americans should retain the right to firearms. He often spoke against excessive left-wing ideas.

Erica hasn’t publicly spoken out about the murder, but was targeted by online by trolls who celebrated the death of her husband.

“The world is a better place without your husband in it,” one person wrote.

“LOL,” another wrote, later adding: “I’m gown enough to know this woman’s husband rotted an entire generation of young men into thinking fascism holds a fruitful future for them.”

“Good riddance Charlie, you piece of s**t,” yet another wrote.

“Karma is real,” another wrote.

“LOOOOOOSEEEEEEER,” another added.

However, other social media users were sympathetic to him.

“I hope you are your babies are surrounded by nothing but love and cradled with care,” one person wrote.

“We love you, we’re with you, and we pray for you. No words could console but we are deeply sorry for the events that occurred today and God bless you and your children. We are so sorry, we will carry his name and his message as best we can,” another wrote.

“Words cannot describe how awful I feel for you, God bless you, will keep you in my prayers,” another added.

“You are not alone. Jesus is with you in this terrible hard time,” another wrote.

Kirk, a key ally of President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, was at the uni campus for a debate.

Mobile phone video clips of the incident circulating on social media showed Kirk addressing a large outdoor crowd when a loud crack that sounded like a gunshot rang out.

Kirk moved his hand toward his neck as he fell off his chair, sending the attendees running.

Kirk’s appearance on Wednesday was the first in a planned 15-event “American Comeback Tour” at universities around the country.

He often used such events, typically drawing large crowds of students, to invite attendees to debate him live.

Before he was shot, Kirk was sitting at what he calls a “Prove Me Wrong” table to field questions from the audience.

He was part of an ecosystem of pro-Trump conservative influencers, including Jack Posobiec, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and others, who have helped to amplify the president’s agenda.

Kirk frequently attacked mainstream media and engaged in culture war issues around race, gender and immigration, often in a provocative style.

FBI director Kash Patel said a suspect taken into custody has been released.

Taking to X, he later wrote: “The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency.”