One Year After Charlie Kirk Assassination, Campus Remembers

One year after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, supporters returned to the Orem, Utah, campus on Thursday to commemorate the Sept. 10, 2025, killing and to honor his legacy. Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, held a memorial event at the university's UCCU Center that included worship performances, video tributes and the unveiling of a statue that will remain on campus. The university closed for the day and supported the use of its space but did not organize the event, according to school officials. Speakers at the gathering described a deliberate effort to reclaim the site where Kirk was shot. Andrew Sypher, the organization's chief field officer, told the crowd he had been standing about 10 feet from Kirk when the fatal shot rang out. He also shared what he said was a text message Kirk sent him the morning of the assassination, writing that he was there to show students kindness rather than to pick a fight. Sage Lloyd, president of the campus chapter, said students who witnessed the killing had chosen to remain and continue Kirk's work.