Political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Utah Valley University during the debut of his fall 2025 American Comeback Tour.
The news spread immediately, and the nation responded in an uproar.
Kirk’s death resulted in worry about safety from people all around, including students at Illinois State University.
Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA in 2012, made an appearance at ISU on April 8, 2025, to discuss topics about the government and AI with students.
The connection between Kirk’s death and his history with ISU has left students feeling upset and alarmed.
“He was just here, a few months ago, speaking at ISU, and it’s just so sad,” junior psychology major Olivia Chapman said. “That could have happened to any one of us.”
Other students said that this entire situation has become complex.
“[It] adds another layer of complexity that Charlie Kirk was here on this campus. The fact that it did happen on a college campus is alarming,” an anonymous student said.
Concerns over the lack of security rose, and students shared their worries about how his assassination happened in a free-range area.
Sophomore business information systems major Jordan Hayes questioned the lack of security, “It makes [students] think ‘Am I really safe on my own campus?’”
“I think if they had a more secure location that was better thought out, he would have still been here,” freshman physical education major Matt Allen said.
“There should have been more security,” freshman nursing major Kaitlyn Anderson said. “If someone wants to go to a rally, they should not be worried for their life.”
Issues of gun violence directed towards politics have been more apparent recently, and students shared their worries for the future.
“Political figures are probably going to be way more hesitant than ever to stand up in public,” an anonymous student said.
Sophomore education major Thluai Par said that people’s different opinions on values can cause hate.
“When people hear things they don’t agree with, things tend to get violent,” Par said.
Allen believes that speaker events might not be as big in the immediate future, but they should continue to happen.
“It’s definitely time in our world, everybody needs a voice,” Allen said.
“Schools are supposed to be a learning space for people who have different opinions to come together and share them,” Par said. “Campuses are supposed to be a safe environment.”
School gun safety is an ongoing concern, but students shared similar opinions on what should happen in the future.
“There should be more awareness around it,” Chapman said. “Kids should be taught about gun safety.”
Students believe that lessening the number of gun owners can also influence the future of gun safety.
Par said that a way to address gun violence starts with acknowledgment.
“People have to wake up and acknowledge that this is a huge problem nationwide,” Par said. “It’s my right to want a gun, but it’s the student’s right to go to school safely without fearing for their lives.”
“While tragedy will still continue to occur, every wrong will eventually be undone,” said an anonymous student. “That’s the hope that we can have in life.”
On Sept. 11th at 7:30 p.m., Turning Point USA at ISU hosted a vigil in the center of the quad in memory of Kirk.
Students came together as a community, prayed for the nation, and shared support regarding the tragedy.
