A 19-year-old man was arrested Sunday morning after he stomped on a memorial dedicated to Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk outside the organization’s Phoenix headquarters, police said.
Video captured by Fox News showed Ryder Corral stepping onto the flowers, photos, flags, and other tributes placed in Kirk’s honor.
Witnesses watched in shock as Corral trampled across the memorial around 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, just days after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Highlights
- A 19-year-old man, Ryder Corral, was arrested for stomping on a memorial to Charlie Kirk outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix HQ.
- Corral wore a black T-shirt resembling that of Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter of Charlie Kirk, raising suspicion but no known connection.
- Corral faces charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct; no serious injuries occurred during his arrest after a physical confrontation.
A teenager was arrested after stomping on a memorial for Charlie Kirk
Image credits: Trent Nelson/Getty Images
He died after being struck by a single bullet during the event. He was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Corral wore a black T-shirt with an American flag and an eagle printed on it. The shirt closely resembled the one worn by Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting Kirk.
Image credits: Fox News
Robinson, 22, was arrested Friday in Utah after a 33-hour manhunt.
The FBI had released photos of Robinson wearing a long-sleeve black shirt with a flag graphic, jeans, sunglasses, and a hat.
He was seen wearing a “plain maroon T-shirt, light-colored shorts, a black hat with a white logo and light-colored shoes” when officials traced him.
Image credits: FBI
Officials said Robinson was wearing this clothing before and after the shooting, and he changed into the black shirt with the eagle on it on the roof before carrying out the attack.
Corral’s choice of clothing on Sunday immediately drew attention because it resembled Robinson’s attire. However, police have not said whether Corral had any connection to Robinson or the shooting in Utah.
The teen faces charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct
Footage shows a man grabbing Corral by the arm and throwing him to the ground. Another person kicked him while he was down before the police intervened.
Phoenix Police Department Public Information Sergeant Philip Krynsky told Fox News that Corral faces charges of criminal damage and disorderly conduct. No serious injuries were reported during the incident.
Image credits: Fox News
This was not the first disruption during the gatherings mourning Kirk’s death. Hours after the shooting on Wednesday, a brawl erupted outside the Idaho State Capitol when a man on a bicycle confronted mourners, yelling, “F**k Charlie Kirk!”
Image credits: Fox News
Corral remains in custody at the Maricopa County Jail.
While Kirk’s death sparked grief among his supporters, some left-wing voices online celebrated the fatal shooting.
Many compared him to Adolf Hitler, while others called him a “Nazi” and said he “deserved” to be shot.
Leaders from both parties have condemned the assassination. U.S. President Trump called Kirk “Great, and even Legendary” on Truth Social, and ordered flags lowered to half-staff until Sunday in honor of the late media personality.
California Democrat Ro Khanna also expressed sadness, saying, “Political violence has no place in America. I’m saddened, and we need to do better as citizens of this country.”
The arrest of Robinson in Utah provided some relief for supporters still reeling from Kirk’s assassination.
Image credits: Fox News
Investigators believe that the gaming and “dark internet” culture radicalized Robinson to shoot Kirk, based on information from his family, friends, and acquaintances.