US Vice President JD Vance was seen helping carry conservative activist Charlie Kirk's casket onto Air Force Two to make the short trip from Salt Lake City to Kirk's home state of Arizona for his funeral a day after his death. Vance shared a close friendship with Kirk and had called the latter a "true friend" in his tribute post on X.Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, while addressing a crowd of about 3000 people. A graphic video of the shooting showed Kirk's body jerking as the bullet struck his neck, with blood pouring from the wound. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead hours later.On September 11, 2025, his body was transported to Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Force Two, which also carried JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance, and Kirk's widow, Erika. After the flight landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Erika and Usha were seen walking out together, with Erika's arm around Usha's waist.As they climbed down the steps, Usha was seen holding Erika's hand, with Vance following behind. Both women were dressed in black and wearing dark sunglasses.Charlie Kirk's funeral is expected to take place in Phoenix, Arizona. However, his family has not disclosed any details about the service at this time. In a recent interview at the White House, Donald Trump said he would attend, adding that he had an "obligation" to do so.“I believe it's in Arizona, and they've asked me to go and I think I have an obligation to do that. I hear next weekend," Trump said.JD Vance said Charlie Kirk introduced him to Donald Trump's sonOn September 10, 2025, US Vice President JD Vance posted a heartfelt tribute to Charlie Kirk on X following his death. The VP mentioned that Kirk messaged him on X about his appearance on Tucker Carlson's Fox show in 2017, and added that "that moment of kindness began a friendship that lasted until today." Furthermore, he said that Charlie Kirk was one of the first people he reached out to when considering a run for Senate in 2021, which eventually led to Kirk introducing him to Donald Trump Jr."Charlie was one of the first people I called when I thought about running for senate in early 2021. I was interested but skeptical there was a pathway. We talked through everything, from the strategy to the fundraising to the grassroots of the movement he knew so well," Vance wrote."He introduced me to some of the people who would run my campaign and also to Donald Trump Jr. 'Like his dad, he's misunderstood. He's extremely smart, and very much on our wavelength.' Don took a call from me because Charlie asked him too."JD Vance and Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point Inaugural-Eve Ball Held In Washington, D.C. (Image via Getty Images)Vance added that Kirk supported him "both in public and private" when he became the VP nominee and reached out to check on him and his family when they dealt with "the effects" of running for the position. The Vice President also stated Kirk "died doing what he loved," which was discussing ideas and debating. Calling Kirk a "great family man" and a "true friend," Vance elaborated on his friendship with the conservative activist, writing:"Charlie Kirk was a true friend. The kind of guy you could say something to and know it would always stay with him. I am on more than a few group chats with Charlie and people he introduced me to over the years. We celebrate weddings and babies, bust each other's chops, and mourn the loss of loved ones. We talk about politics and policy and sports and life."Vance recalled where he was when he heard about Charlie Kirk's shooting, saying he was in a meeting in the West Wing of the White House when he received the news. He added that he prayed for Kirk for the next hour until he got word of his death. Vance ended his eulogy with a message to Kirk, writing:"You ran a good race, my friend. We've got it from here."The BBC reported that the FBI was offering a $100,000 reward for information about Charlie Kirk's shooter. Additionally, they released security camera footage of a "person of interest" and believe their suspect to be a "college-aged" individual. During his 9/11 memorial speech at the Pentagon on September 11, President Donald Trump said he would posthumously honor Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the date of the ceremony has not yet been announced, Trump promised that the event would attract a "very big crowd."