CHARLIE KIRK SHOT DEAD

Political Commentator and Activist Assassinated at Utah Valley University

Charlie Kirk, who spoke at the University of Wyoming in April, has been shot dead on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. While the news of his death was initially belayed, having reportedly been rushed to the hospital, he was eventually confirmed as having been killed later in the day. 

Charlie Kirk was a co-founder of one of the most prominent right wing college organization in America, Turning Point USA, which was founded in 2012. In addition, he was recently present on UWYO’s campus, when the “American Comeback Tour” came to Laramie. During it, Kirk answered multiple questions asked by students and emphasized that America was on track for a new golden age, but that there was a lot of work to do prior to it happening. He was a father to two children, a husband, and was one of Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters and allies.

President Trump has already commented on the matter, stating that flags will be flown at half-mast until Sunday at 6PM. 

In response to the death, he stated on Truth social, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Utah Valley University initially stated that a subject had been apprehended, however it was later confirmed that the person in question was not the shooter. Later, Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated that a person of interest was in custody, although it remains unclear at the time of writing this as to whether or not the person is the shooter.

We asked students at the University of Wyoming what they thought about the shooting. Everyone who spoke chose to remain anonymous, which may be an indicator of the present mood around subjects like this in America, with people becoming increasingly afraid to put their name to a public opinion. One student, upon being asked about his death, said, “Growing up I saw Charlie Kirk a lot on social media . . . he shaped a lot of people’s political opinions growing up, but in truth I think he was more of a professional debater, and a lot of his stuff was clickbait . . . but no matter your political view, human life is precious, and no matter what he thought I wouldn’t wish death upon anyone . . .” Another student stated, “I’d say at the end of the day he’s a father and a husband. I don’t think you can judge someone 100% by their political views about how they are as a person, so I think this is a disgusting act of political violence, and it doesn’t matter if you disagree or not.

Some students disagreed with Charlie Kirk heavily. One, upon being asked about his death, said, “Politically I opposed him personally I despised him, that does not mean that I feel like he deserved this, I don’t think he deserved it at all. The way you fight speech you disagree with is more speech, never with censorship or violence.” Another student took a hardline pro-violence stance on Kirk, stating, “I think that he deserved it. Having a family doesn’t give you the right to dedicate your life to removing minority group rights. Punching fascists is not a right, but a duty, and I think shooting them is too.” 

The president of Turning Point USA Gabe Saint upon being asked how campus is reacting so far, stated “We’ve had a lot of support on social media, we got a lot of DMs and people from all over the state and country have been reaching out to us . . . they know that Charlie and this chapter had a special relationship, in helping us fight for conservative values on campus.” When asked about his thoughts on the prayer service that took place on the night of the shooting, Saint said, “I think the best thing to do when tragedy happens . . . when people lose someone, you know I lost a hero, a friend, and a mentor and a lot of other people have too, our country lost someone who was a big voice . . . and so I think the most important thing to do right now is to remind people that Jesus will always be glorified in tragedies like this, and that in the end righteousness always prevails . . . it’s what Charlie would’ve wanted us to do.”

Charlie Kirk’s death marks the current height of an increasing level of political violence unfolding in America, and only time will tell if it gets worse. Students on both sides of the aisle were, for the most part, staunchly against political violence in America, but certain students actively called for more violence. The growing trend of actions like this in America present a concerning vision of the future.