A man was taken into custody in Phoenix on Sunday after trampling a growing memorial for Charlie Kirk outside the Turning Point USA headquarters.
Fox News cameras captured [1] the incident, showing the man walking through the memorial, kicking over flowers, vases, and American flags placed in Kirk’s honor.
A mourner at the site intervened, pulling the man out of the memorial space and forcing him to the ground.
Phoenix police later identified the suspect as 19-year-old Ryder Corral.
Video of his arrest shows him wearing a black shirt featuring an American flag and eagle.
The shirt bore similarities to the one worn by Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Kirk in Utah last week.
Corral was charged with one count of criminal damage and one count of disorderly conduct.
He was booked into Maricopa County Jail, according to Phoenix Police Department Public Information Sergeant Philip Krynsky.
No serious injuries were reported in the incident.
Officers were already on scene assisting with traffic control because of the large community turnout at the memorial.
Law enforcement quickly removed Corral from the area after his actions.
JUST IN: Man arrested after vandalizing Charlie Kirk memorial outside Turning Point USA’s headquarters in Arizona. The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Ryder Corral. pic.twitter.com/N1LAMCniS1 [2]
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 14, 2025 [3]
The vandalism came just days after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday.
The founder of Turning Point USA and a well-known conservative activist, Kirk was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife and young child.
Authorities arrested Robinson, the alleged gunman, on Friday following a 33-hour manhunt.
The FBI had released photos a day earlier showing a person of interest described as a thin male wearing jeans, a black long-sleeved shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses, and a hat.
Robinson was identified as the suspect and taken into custody in Utah.
He now faces charges in connection with Kirk’s death.
The Phoenix incident underscored the heightened tensions surrounding Kirk’s assassination and the response from the conservative community nationwide.
Thousands of supporters have been gathering at Turning Point USA headquarters since news of his killing broke, leaving flowers, flags, and personal notes in his memory.
Police said they will maintain an ongoing presence near the site to manage the large crowds and to prevent further disturbances.
Kirk’s death has sparked tributes from across the political spectrum, but his supporters have been particularly vocal in demanding justice for what they describe as a targeted attack on one of the most prominent young voices in conservative politics.
The investigation into Kirk’s assassination remains ongoing as local and federal officials continue to gather evidence.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix arrest has added another layer of scrutiny and frustration for mourners who say the memorial is meant to be a place of peace and respect.
Corral remains in custody as his case moves forward through the Maricopa County court system.
As vigils continue across the country, Turning Point USA has confirmed that public memorial services for Kirk will take place later this week in Arizona and Utah.