Around 100 UA students attended a vigil at Denny Chimes Wednesday to honor Charlie Kirk, a political commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated in a shooting at Utah Valley University.
A vigil was also held on Zoom for students who did not feel safe to attend in person.
Students held a group prayer for about 10 minutes, and said that they were grateful for Kirk’s example and message to America.
Will Notarfrancesco, vice president of the UA chapter of Turning Point USA, said he believed the vigil “would make Charlie really, really happy” because of how many people attended. Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012.
“He set forward a mission for himself and for Turning Point that was one of making America better, helping people talk to each other, helping people learn from each other, having a discourse with each other and actually caring deeply about your country,” he said. “Charlie was an amazing, shining example of that up until he went to go be with the Lord today.”
Kirk was speaking outdoors at Utah Valley University at a “Prove Me Wrong” event when a bullet struck his neck. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
“It’s a tragedy. It shouldn’t happen in this country,” said Trenton Buffenbarger, chairman of the UA chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, a conservative student group. “I’ve seen hundreds of people on both sides denounce this. It’s an act of violence. It’s a time to come together. We should not be remembering what side he was on or who he made angry. It should be a time about mourning for his family.”
Zach Ellis, a freshman majoring in graphic design, laid flowers at the base of the American flag on the Quad.
“I just thought the least we could do is at least show him a little bit of respect,” he said. “I’m not like crazy political, but it’s just a shame how a father and a mother’s son and just a family man, just passed away.”
Thomas Giddens, a sophomore majoring in environmental science, gave a prayer during the closing minutes of the vigil.
“Charlie Kirk, I look up to him,” Giddens said. “He wasn’t perfect, he had flaws, but he was a natural leader. He was a good example of a model Christian, and that’s what I admired about him.”
UA Common Ground, UA College Democrats and UA College Republicans also released a joint statement via Instagram condemning Kirk’s assassination, and all political violence.
“We as a UA community are hearing the reports out of Utah about the assassination of Mr. Charlie Kirk and we strongly condemn this tragedy — political violence has no place in America,” the post said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Kirk and his family. It is imperative at times like this that we look inward for peace and put an end to political violence and the rhetoric that has led to it.”
Outside of the University, several Alabama officials and state representatives, including U.S. Senator Katie Britt and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, issued statements of condolences to Kirk and his family.
“All of us in Alabama are wrapping the Kirk family in prayer during this unimaginable time of loss. Charlie was a husband, a father, and a patriot,” Alabama governor Kay Ivey said in a repost of President Donald Trump’s statement on X from earlier in the day.
Trump also released a video statement Wednesday night.
“I never expected something like this could happen in this country,” said Riley McArdle, chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama. “We have a mental health crisis in this country. Both sides of the aisle know that, and it is past time for both sides of the aisle to come together and try and find constructive solutions.”
“Even though his death was tragic, it lit a fire in all of us,” Giddens said. “We will continue to fight for what we believe in, just like Kirk did.”
Benjamin Smith, assistant copy editor for The Crimson White, contributed to the reporting of this story.
