Charlie Kirk's fans' incredible gesture to widow Erika and children

Supporters of slain conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk have rallied around his grieving family, raising an astonishing $3 million in less than 48 hours to support his widow, Erika, and their two young children.

The fundraiser, hosted on Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo, was launched by ALP Pouches, a nicotine pouch company that pledged the first $1 million.

'Our team at ALP is heartbroken by the death of Charlie Kirk - a devoted husband, father, and friend. Love for God, family, and country defined his life,' the campaign's organizers wrote. 

'As Erika and the kids navigate this unimaginable loss, we want to rally together to provide security and stability for Charlie's loved ones.'

The page lists a fundraising goal of $5 million, with organizers urging supporters to give 'whatever you are able' to help Erika and the children in the wake of Kirk's murder.

Kirk, 31, was assassinated on Wednesday while speaking at a Turning Point USA rally at Utah Valley University in Orem. 

The father-of-two was answering a question about mass shootings when suspected shooter Taylor Robinson, 22, opened fire. 

A bullet struck him in the neck, sending students and supporters running for cover.

Witness Sophie Anderson, 45, told Daily Mail she nearly got trampled as chaos unfolded.

'The second it happened, I knew it was a gunshot,' she said. 'He was shot in the neck and just fell over and he was just a fountain of blood. All these kids are just falling apart and bawling.'

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Kirk collapsed on stage and was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries.

The attack has been described as a 'watershed moment' in American history, amid a surge in political violence that has included the shooting of Donald Trump at a campaign rally last year.

Robinson was arrested Thursday night after his own father, Matt Robinson, turned him in. 

Matt recognized his son in the FBI photos and confronted him. 

Robinson confessed but initially refused to turn himself in, saying he would rather kill himself. After the suspect spoke to a youth minister connected to the US Marshals Service, Matt turned his son in.

Robinson now faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty.

At a press conference, Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that Robinson made chilling remarks about Kirk at a family dinner, calling him 'full of hate and spreading hate.' 

His family told police the comments raised a red flag, so much so that they remembered them and told investigators following his arrest. 

Robinson had grown 'more political in recent years,' the family said.

Cox revealed that Robinson also drove a gray Dodge Challenger matching the suspect's vehicle and had messaged his roommate about retrieving his rifle from nearby bushes following the shooting. 

His roommate pointed police to Robinson's Discord messages, describing the gun wrapped in a towel in bushes.

The rifle was found in the woods near the UVU campus. 

Unspent rounds found alongside the suspected murder weapon were engraved with bizarre phrases, including: 'Hey Fascist! Catch!' and 'If you read this you are Gay, LMAO.' 

The manhunt stretched 33 hours, with several people detained - and then released - before Robinson was finally captured.

Robinson's motive remains unclear.

He had not voted in the last two elections and was not registered to a political party, voting records show. 

His parents, Matt and Amber, are registered Republicans. 

Matt owns a construction business while Amber works for a state-contracted disability services provider. 

Family photos show Robinson on vacations, in smiling selfies, and even dressed as Donald Trump for Halloween in 2017.

Robinson had briefly attended Utah State University on a $32,000 presidential scholarship before dropping out, later enrolling in an electrical apprenticeship program.

Before his death, Kirk had become one of the most influential voices of the MAGA movement. 

He co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, building it into a conservative powerhouse with more than a thousand staffers nationwide, and launched Turning Point Faith and Turning Point Academy to spread biblical and pro-American values.

He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and opened the 2020 RNC, racking up billions of online views with his combative 'prove me wrong' debates on college campuses.

President Donald Trump led tributes on Truth Social following his death, writing: 'The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!'

Trump ordered flags lowered to half-staff and dispatched Vice President JD Vance to Utah to support the family, even helping carry Kirk's casket onto Air Force Two to return home to Arizona.

Kirk leaves behind Erika, their three-year-old daughter, and 16-month-old son. The couple had just celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary in May.