Vice President JD Vance accompanied the coffin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, and was flown from Utah to Phoenix, Arizona, aboard the Air Force Two.

Air Force Two landed with Kirk’s remains and casket on board, hours after President Donald Trump announced to reporters on the White House lawn that he expected to attend the conservative activist’s funeral in Arizona.

An air traffic controller welcomed Kirk home as the plane landed.

“Welcome home, Charlie,” the controller said over the ground-to-air radio. “You didn’t deserve this. God bless your family.”

In Phoenix, dozens of people gathered to witness Kirk’s arrival. An entourage was ready to escort his casket, though it’s unclear where it would be taken upon arrival. No details about memorial services or funeral services have been released.

Vance arrived earlier on the vice presidential plane Thursday at the Air Force base in Utah, where he met with Kirk’s wife, Erika Frantzve, and close family members. They then flew to Arizona with the coffin.

Also on the plane were members of Turning Point USA, the organization founded by the young activist.

The night before, Vance posted a message on X in which he stressed that Kirk was key to the Republican victory in 2024: “Much of the success we’ve had in this administration is directly due to Charlie’s ability to organize and convene,” and recalled that “he not only helped win in 2024, but he helped staff the entire government,” reflecting the political relevance he recognized in him.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck. The FBI identified the suspect as a young man who fired shots from a nearby roof.A firearm and ammunition related to extremist ideologies were recovered. The shooter remains at large, and the motive is under investigation.

Trump says he has an “obligation” to be at Kirk’s funeral

Trump told reporters Thursday that he had spoken with Kirk’s widow, Erika.

“We had a long conversation, and she’s devastated,” the president said. “She’s absolutely devastated, as you can imagine.”

His remarks came as Trump was leaving Washington, D.C., for New York. He called Kirk “a great man” and said his funeral was expected to be held next weekend.

“I’ve been asked to be there, and I feel I have an obligation to be there,” Trump said, according to the Associated Press.

The exact date and location of the funeral, as well as any security arrangements that might be in place for Trump’s attendance, are unknown.