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On Sept. 10, 2025, conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk was assassinated by gunfire while speaking to an audience at Utah Valley University. The shooting occurred shortly after Kirk clarified a question about mass shooting to an audience member. A mother and daughter who witnessed the shooting reported a gunshot rang out and blood poured from his neck. After that happened, they “ran for their lives”. Kirk was carried out to a vehicle and then taken to a nearby hospital. Shortly after his departure to the hospital, his death was announced.
Kirk was a well-known right-wing political media influencer who often discussed topics such as abortion, gun control, Christian faith and more. He founded Turning Point USA, a conservative group meant to teach and educate young voters. He always stood firm in his beliefs and was open to debating students about their differing opinions.
What’s for sure is that whenever Kirk was mentioned, a sea of opinions arose. People with liberal ideologies highly disagreed with his statements and found them to be blatantly offensive while supporters agreed with his statements devoted to the United States, including free speech.
However, more than ever, Kirk wanted to be remembered for his faith in Jesus Christ. Above all of the political standpoints and debates, he wanted to find common ground between people who had opposing beliefs and plant seeds in their soul. He wanted God to use him for His will, not his own.
Kirk certainly has made mistakes on his journey. He has said many things that have been out of line (or taken out of context).
For example, he had this to say about gun violence, “I think it’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.” This was in 2023 and unfortunately he fell to gun violence himself.
Regardless of his political ideologies, Kirk was a human being. The First Amendment is a right for all American citizens – free speech policies in the U.S. give us the privilege of disagreeing with others and debating. Nobody deserves to die for speaking up about what they think is right. He had children and a wife. He had a family that he came home to. One of Kirk’s biggest values was family, and the shooter has left his beloved grieving a profound loss.
