A newly installed statue of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was defaced with red paint outside Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix.
Authorities responded to reports regarding the damaged monument shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The 8-foot monument had been erected just days earlier to mark the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s murder.
The 31-year-old organization co-founder was killed during an open-mic gathering at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
Photographs from the scene revealed red paint smeared across the bronze likeness wearing a freedom shirt, along with a frowning face drawn on his chest.
Perpetrators also targeted the neck and face of the monument while defacing a nearby poster memorial positioned in front of the structure.
Organization officials noted that vandals intentionally crossed out the name of Jesus on an adjacent sign during the overnight attack.
Phoenix Police Department confirmed that the incident remains under active investigation, noting that no suspects have been identified.
Organization officials publicly denounced the destructive action in a statement published to social media.
Addressing the overnight destruction, Turning Point USA stated that “vandalism like this is not funny, it’s diabolical”.
Offering context regarding the timing of the strike, the organization noted that “the incident happened in the middle of the night because evil never sleeps”.
Detailing the deliberate scope of the property damage, officials added that “beyond spray painting on the neck and face, they made the intentional decision to cross out the name of Jesus on a nearby sign”.
Reflecting on ideological opposition, the organization referenced a New Testament verse stating, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first”.
Law enforcement officials urged anyone possessing relevant details about the crime to contact Phoenix Police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.