Charlie Kirk Assassinated
On September 10th, 2025, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and an influential conservative activist, was shot during an event at Utah Valley University. He was speaking on the UVU campus during his “American Comeback” tour and hosting a “Prove Me Wrong” debate forum outside, where people were invited to challenge him on political and cultural topics. At noon, a student approaches the mic and asks Charlie, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last ten years?”
Charlie answers: “Too many.”
The student states there have been five in ten years and asks Charlie if he knows how many mass shootings have happened during that time frame. Kirk replied with, “Counting or not counting gang violence?” Seconds later, a bullet struck him on the left side of his neck, and he collapsed.
Kirk was carried out and brought to Timpanogos Regional Hospital. His death was confirmed later that day by President Donald Trump with a post on X stating his admiration for Charlie and expressing his love for Charlie Kirk and his family. Charlie Kirk’s assassination was a shock to many people across the political spectrum, with many taking to social media to process what they were feeling. Many people expressed concern for him and his family, and some people expanded the conversation to talk about gun safety; still others chose to say unkind things and thought he deserved it because of his talking points and position on various topics. With all of these different conversations stemming from one violent act, I was curious what the students at Tumwater High School might think about this event.
Did you know him before? And how is Kirk’s position as a civilian getting assassinated different or the same as a politician getting assassinated?
10th grader Gavi Tellers says, “I’ve seen videos of him on Instagram and TikTok, debating on campus”. In response to the question, she states that it’s messed up either way, but politicians are in a position where they can be in danger; however, Charlie was just debating people, which is what you’re supposed to do in college.
Dylan Ferris says, of course, she knew him and Dean Withers. She states that he shouldn’t have died, but that’s the price you pay when you’re in politics; it’s a competitive field.
Shairae Ribac didn’t know Charlie before his death, but says that a politician has a big say. She says that he was just a civilian speaking out. Sometimes he was wrong, but it was just an opinion.