Kerri and Kaylee Rollo face criminal mischief charges as GoFundMe raises thousands despite public backlash over Bentonville courthouse vandalism
Two Arkansas sisters who were caught on video vandalising a memorial to assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk have launched an online fundraising campaign after one lost her restaurant job, raising nearly £11,900 despite fierce public condemnation.
Kerri Rollo, 23, and Kaylee Rollo, 22, were arrested in Bentonville on Wednesday and charged with first-degree criminal mischief after footage went viral showing them destroying a memorial outside the Benton County Courthouse. Kaylee faces an additional charge of obstruction of governmental operations, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The dramatic video shows Kerri tearing up signs, kicking over candles and giving the middle finger to the person filming whilst shouting “f*** Charlie Kirk”. She was also heard declaring that Kirk “lived as he died, promoting violence” as she stomped on the memorial that had been erected just a day earlier following a candlelight vigil attended by more than 1,000 people.
Swift Sacking from Bella’s Table
Kerri lost her position at Bella’s Table, an upscale Italian restaurant in nearby Bella Vista, shortly after being identified in the footage. The establishment, which opened in January 2024 and is part of the Table Mesa Restaurants Group, moved quickly to distance itself from the incident.
“We understand your outrage over this incident,” the restaurant stated. “The individual who defaced the Charlie Kirk memorial does not represent or define our company, nor the hard-working team that serves our community every day. Please know that we are addressing this matter internally with the seriousness it deserves.”
The restaurant, known for its wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta, emphasised that the actions “do not align with our standards, values, or culture” and asked that “the dedication and professionalism of our broader staff not be overshadowed by the poor choices of one individual”.
Bella’s Table is one of several restaurants owned by Carl and Lindie Garrett in Northwest Arkansas, including Table Mesa Bistro, Tavola Trattoria, and Mirabella’s Table. The Garretts have built a reputation for bringing fine dining options to the region over the past 16 years.
Family Fallout and Homelessness
The sisters’ troubles extended beyond job loss. Lacy Christian, who identified herself as the mother of Kaylee’s now ex-boyfriend, revealed she had evicted the younger sister from her home following the arrests. Christian said Kaylee had been living with her family for more than a year but was kicked out after the vandalism incident.
“I will not allow someone living in my home to be OK or celebrate a murder,” Christian wrote on social media. “And I will never allow someone to live in my home who is OK with destroying a memorial for someone else.”
Christian added that her son had ended his relationship with Kaylee immediately after the incident, stating she could not “condone the destruction of a memorial or celebrate a death”.
Controversial Crowdfunding Campaign
Despite the backlash, the sisters launched a GoFundMe titled “FIGHT AGAINST F4CISM HELP PAY FOR OUR LEGAL FEES” with an £13,400 goal. The fundraiser has already raised nearly £11,900, with donations coming from both supporters and critics who paid small amounts to leave condemning comments.
“After the recent events surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death, my sibling and I are being doxxed online and my sibling was fired from their job,” the fundraising message reads. “This is a direct violation of their first amendment rights and unconstitutional. Please help my sibling while they look for another job and stand against the tyranny that is creeping into the country.”
Kaylee updated the page after their arrests, claiming they had been “THREATENED, DOXXED, HARASSED AND FIRED” and asking for help with legal representation and court costs. The 22-year-old insisted the vandalism was a form of protest protected under free speech rights.
Mixed Donor Response
The GoFundMe has attracted a polarised response. A donor identifying as “Antifa Supersoldier” wrote: “You did a good thing,” whilst another supporter commented: “Take those losers all the way to the bank girls! Keep fighting the good fight.”
However, many donors contributed minimal amounts solely to criticise the sisters. One anonymous donor wrote: “You got what you deserved. Freedom of speech is what you are fighting for but destroy something based on someone else’s.”
Conservative commentators have seized on the fundraising campaign as evidence of left-wing extremism. The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about political violence following Kirk’s assassination on 10 September at Utah Valley University.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
On Friday, a judge set Kerri’s bond at £11,200 and Kaylee’s at £5,600. Kerri requested a public defender whilst Kaylee retained her own attorney. The sisters are scheduled to appear in court on 22 October for their arraignment on the misdemeanor charges, which carry potential jail time and fines up to £750.
Benton County Justice of the Peace Joseph Bollinger, who first shared the vandalism video, condemned the sisters’ actions as going beyond protected speech. “Everyone has a right to be able to express their freedom of expression,” Bollinger said. “But what the issue is, is when you trample on someone’s memorial, the human act of grieving. You’re not just trampling on their freedom of expression, you’re trampling on the memory of a person. You’re trampling on our Benton County values.”
Sheriff Shawn Holloway emphasised that his office “takes acts of vandalism, particularly those directed toward community memorials, very seriously”. The swift investigation led to the sisters’ arrests within 48 hours of the incident being reported.
Kirk’s Assassination Aftermath
The vandalism occurred just days after Kirk, 31, was fatally shot whilst speaking to students at Utah Valley University in Utah. The conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA was killed by a sniper positioned on a rooftop approximately 135 metres away. He is survived by his wife Erika and their two young children, a three-year-old daughter and 16-month-old son.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, has been charged with Kirk’s murder, with prosecutors announcing they will seek the death penalty. According to court documents, Robinson confessed in text messages to his roommate, stating he “had enough of his hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out”.
The assassination has sparked nationwide tensions, with numerous workers and students facing termination or suspension for social media posts celebrating or appearing to mock Kirk’s death. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned teachers that “disgusting” statements about the assassination could result in suspension or revocation of teaching licences.
Community Cleanup and Counter-Response
Following the vandalism, local youth were filmed cleaning and restoring the memorial. Bollinger praised these volunteers, stating: “Now THIS is the real Benton County, Arkansas. If anyone knows who these three young men are, I would love to know so they can be honoured at this month’s Quorum Court.”
The memorial site at the courthouse has since been partially dismantled by Bentonville City Parks employees who removed signs “to avoid being political”, though candles, flags and flowers remain. A larger memorial service for Kirk was held on 21 September at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, attended by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and thousands of supporters.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Rollo sisters’ case has become emblematic of the deep political divisions following Kirk’s assassination. Their claim that vandalism constitutes protected speech faces scepticism from legal experts, who note that destruction of property typically falls outside First Amendment protections.
The incident continues to reverberate through Northwest Arkansas, a region that has experienced rapid growth and demographic change in recent years. For now, the sisters await their day in court whilst their controversial fundraiser continues to attract both donations and derision from a deeply divided public.
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