Right-Wing Advocate Charlie Kirk Shot on University Tour
Photo Credit: Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP
Right-wing Christian advocate Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University while on tour for his youth organization, Turning Point USA. Kirk was a political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative Christian organization that sponsored his tours and campaigns around American college campuses.
Kirk gained a lot of online success by posting footage of his college debate tours, which quickly spread his influence and messages. The debates Kirk hosted were open-ended, with Kirk typically having students come up to him, ask a question on his position or opinion on an issue, and then engage in a debate until either party disengaged.
On Aug. 27, Turning Point USA announced that Kirk would continue his college tour, titled the “American Comeback Tour,” with Utah Valley University as his first stop. While answering the question “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America in the last 10 years?”, Kirk’s last words were: “Counting or not counting gang violence,” before a bullet entered the left side of his neck, punctured his carotid artery, and caused him to collapse. He was quickly airlifted to Timpanagos Regional Hospital and was declared dead by President Trump two hours after the incident.
A manhunt ensued for Kirk’s shooter, with 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson turned in by his own family days after the manhunt began.
During the investigation, bullet casings were recovered from the scene, inscribed with the phrases “notices bulges OWO what’s this”, “Hey fascist! Catch”, and “If you read this, you are gay.” Investigators also found Discord messages between Robinson and a roommate. In one of these messages, Robinson stated that he “had enough of his hatred […] some hatred can’t be negotiated out.” The prosecution for Robinson's case has stated to the press that they will be seeking the death penalty.
Following his assassination, Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, released a 15-minute video online announcing that she’d be continuing his life’s work and taking leadership of Turning Point USA. During Kirk’s memorial service on Sept. 21, a myriad of key Republican party members, including President Donald Trump, spoke about Kirk’s legacy. “Our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal," Trump said at his memorial service, according to NPR. "He's a martyr now for American freedom."
According to Newsweek, Kirk’s service also had performances from several Christian music performers like Brandon Lake and Cody Carnes. Since his death, President Trump has commemorated him by turning his birthday into a national holiday known as National Charlie Kirk Day. Additionally, Congressman Abraham Jamal Hamadeh is in the process of creating a bill to have Kirk’s face minted on a US coin.