Charlie Kirk, Right-Wing Youth Leader, Fatally Shot in Utah: Local Reactions

by April Rodgers, Freelance Journalist | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice

Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who rose to national prominence as founder of the youth organization Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31.

Witnesses said Kirk was in the middle of an outdoor appearance when a single shot struck him, sending students and staff fleeing. Authorities confirmed there is no suspect in custody, and the investigation remains active. The campus was locked down and classes canceled following the shooting.

Kirk grew up in Illinois and founded Turning Point USA at just 18, building it into one of the country’s most influential conservative youth movements. He lived in Arizona with his wife, Erika, a former Miss Arizona and podcaster. The couple had two young children—a daughter born in 2022 and a son in 2024.

News of Kirk’s death sparked strong reactions in Bucyrus:

“We live in a world where harassment and attacks on political views are brushed under the rug…. until it’s too late. This behavior needs to be stopped and addressed with charges at the start before it gets to this point.” — Melissa Bloomfield

“I hate to see this happen to anyone. Spewing hate creates more hate. Hate tends to lead to violence. Maybe the US can learn from this and start showing more compassion before it’s too late.” — Council Member Aaron Sharrock

“I can’t imagine being killed for your beliefs—on either side of the aisle. It’s heartbreaking and such a senseless loss of life. He was my age, with children the same ages as mine. That hits close to home.
It also makes me deeply worried about the radicalism we’ve seen close to home. Too often, threats and stalking are brushed off, even when they’re serious. We’re all neighbors, most of us just trying to do our best for our families and our community. Reducing people to caricatures, treating them as all good or all bad, only deepens division and erodes trust.” — Council Member Clarissa Slater

“I do not care about your political affiliation or beliefs, no one deserves that. A father, son and husband are now dead because someone can’t control their emotions. Disgusting.” — Jessica Jewell

“This is a result of celebrating mental illness instead of treating it. The individual who shot Charlie Kirk is a symptom. The disease is the liberal politicians and media propaganda machine who preach hate and violence against anyone who disagrees with them. These same people are protected by the very system they rail against and they better pray to whatever god they worship that this system never fails.” — Robert Taylor, Council Member At Large Candidate

“Even if I don’t necessarily agree with his views, he was well-read, unapologetic, and very intelligent. That demands respect. Charlie Kirk had my respect. This was why I listened to him. This is simply horrible. Plain and simple.” — Art Payne

I personally asked my 15-year-old son, Cory Rodgers, what he thought. His words were simple but powerful:

“This isn’t right, it’s not America. America is better than this. We all must be better for my generation’s future and those that follow.” — Cory Rodgers

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Twenty-four years ago, in the aftermath of tragedy, America stood together as one. Today, in a time of growing anger and division, we must remember that unity is still possible. If we truly want to honor the lives lost to violence, we must come together—not as enemies, not as divided parties, but as one nation. It is time to live up to our name once again and become the UNITED States of America.