Ronald Acuña Jr. Shares Heartbreaking Final Messages from Charlie Kirk Before Assassination
Atlanta, Georgia — Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. has revealed the final messages he received from conservative activist Charlie Kirk just hours before Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. The exchange, shared through the encrypted app Signal, now carries haunting significance, as Kirk appeared to sense the danger he faced.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was killed at age 31 while speaking at a student Q&A session. The assailant, dressed in black and reportedly firing from a distance, remains at large. The FBI, led by Director Kash Patel, is investigating the case as a political assassination.
Acuña, 27, described Kirk as “like a brother,” recalling their bond over sports, philanthropy, and shared values. “He was so passionate about making a difference,” Acuña told ESPN. “Those final messages… it hurts because it feels like he knew something bad was coming.”
The Final Conversation
The messages began casually, with Kirk congratulating Acuña on his performance with the Braves. But the tone shifted when Kirk referenced troubling threats he had recently received:
- Kirk (7:30 PM): “Yo Ronald, you killed it in that last game! Braves looking strong, man. Gotta catch a game together after I’m back from Utah.”
- Acuña (7:32 PM): “Haha, thanks bro! Appreciating the love. Utah trip? Stay safe out there, you know how crazy it gets.”
- Kirk (7:35 PM): “Yeah, it’s been intense. Got some weird messages lately, like ‘you’re done, Kirk.’ Probably just haters, but if something happens to me, keep pushing for what’s right, Ronnie. Don’t let them silence us. You’re a champ.”
- Acuña (7:37 PM): “Man, that’s serious. You tell the police? Don’t ignore that stuff.”
- Kirk (7:40 PM): “Told them, but they need more proof. Anyway, if I go quiet, tell the world what we stand for. Love the Braves, love this country, love you, man. Catch you later.”
That final message was the last Acuña ever received from Kirk. When news of the assassination broke the next morning, Acuña said he was left devastated: “It’s like he saw it coming. Those words, ‘if something happens,’ they’re stuck in my head.”
A Friendship Beyond Politics
The two first met in 2021 at a Turning Point USA charity event in Atlanta. Kirk, an avid Braves fan, later invited Acuña onto his podcast, and the pair stayed close, regularly discussing family, freedom, and the role of athletes in society. Their friendship was well-documented on social media, with Acuña once posting: “Inspired by a true fighter.”
Acuña has pledged to honor Kirk’s legacy on and off the field. He plans to organize a charity game in Kirk’s memory, with proceeds supporting his family and conservative organizations.
National Reaction
Kirk’s assassination has reignited debates about the safety of public figures in an increasingly polarized climate. President Donald Trump called the killing a “political assassination,” vowing justice for Kirk’s family. Supporters have launched the hashtag #RememberCharlieKirk, which quickly trended on X.
For Acuña, however, the tragedy remains personal: “Charlie wasn’t just a voice on a stage; he was my friend. I’ll play every game for him—giving it everything.”
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