Tim Allen makes statement that's been troubling him for 60 years after being inspired by Erika Kirk
The actor said he was 'deeply affected' after watching Erika Kirk
Tim Allen has said he forgives the man who killed his father after watching Erika Kirk at the memorial for her husband, Charlie Kirk.
At the event hosted at the State Farm Stadium in Arizona, Erika gave a speech in which she said that she forgives the man who shot her husband dead.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at a college campus event in Utah on 10 September.
Kirk was known for his hardline views, including calling the US civil rights movement a 'mistake' and arguing that an underage girl who was raped should not be allowed to have an abortion.
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His death was met with fury from his allies, including US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump also spoke at Kirk's memorial event in Arizona, where he embraced Erika Kirk, who is now the CEO of right-wing organisation Turning Point USA, which Kirk co-founded.
Now, Tim Allen has posted online about the moment in Erika's speech where she forgave her husband's killer.
In a statement on social media, Allen wrote: "When Erika Kirk spoke the words on the man who killed her husband: 'That man… that young man… I forgive him.' That moment deeply affected me.
"I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. I will say those words now as I type: 'I forgive the man who killed my father.'
"Peace be with you all."
Tyler Robinson has since been arrested and charged with Kirk's murder, with prosecutors reportedly seeking the death penalty.
Speaking at the memorial, Erika said: "Our Savior said, 'Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.' That young man … I forgive him," Erika said. "I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it's what Charlie would do."
In 1964, when Allen was 11-years-old, his father died when a drunk driver collided with his car.
His father, real estate agent Gerald M. Dick, had been driving the family home from a football game when the fatal collision happened.
Speaking about the tragedy on Inside the Actors Studio, Allen said: "(He) broke his neck and died in my mom's lap right there."
He added: "As many times as I'd relive this — if you haven't had a death in your family, I don't suggest it — but it certainly changes every single thing. From your cells and DNA, it turns a different color."
Topics: News, US News, Charlie Kirk, Social Media
Kit Roberts