ARIZONA —

A statue commemorating late conservative activist Charlie Kirk was vandalized with pink paint over the weekend, simply days after its unveiling exterior Turning Level USA headquarters in Phoenix.

“It was horrifying,” mentioned Tyler Bowyer, chief working officer of Turning Level USA.

The statue, unveiled Thursday, was discovered Sunday morning with pink paint masking its face, neck, and hand. Bowyer mentioned the paint seemed to be supposed to resemble blood and was additionally sprayed on an indication on the base of the memorial.

“It was clear that vandals got here right here, spray-painted what appeared like blood, was supposed to appear like blood, each on the signal proper there after which on the statue,” Bowyer mentioned.

The incident occurred one 12 months after Kirk was shot and killed in Utah. The statue was unveiled exterior the headquarters of Turning Level USA, the group Kirk based.

An indication that had been sitting on the base of the memorial since final September was additionally discovered lined in pink paint Sunday morning.

“We’re shocked by it. I believe it is surprising and jarring any time that you simply see one thing like this,” Bowyer mentioned.

Bowyer defined that the statue was meant to rejoice Kirk’s life and mentioned the act of vandalism wouldn’t change that.

“Our group has to step up and stand boldly within the face of political violence, violence typically, and I believe that that is the message right here immediately,” Bowyer mentioned.

Supporters of Kirk visited the location to pay their respects regardless of the vandalism.

“Whether or not it was vandalized or not, we’re nonetheless going to come back and take a look at it,” one customer mentioned.

Many expressed disappointment over the act, together with customer Greg Matsen.

“Even for those who disagree with issues that he believed in, it is exhausting to think about coming in and mocking one thing so horrific,” Matsen mentioned.

Kirk’s widow, Erika, condemned the vandalism in a publish on X, saying partially: “They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice, however it solely made it louder. They suppose spray paint can obscure his legacy, however it can solely unfold it additional. Each try to tear down what Charlie constructed makes us root deeper and work even more durable.”

Bowyer mentioned the group labored rapidly to scrub the statue and restore it for guests.

“After they come right here, our hope is that they will be impressed, and that is the hope with the statues as we keep in mind Charlie and his life, that they will stroll away impressed,” Bowyer mentioned.