Utah Valley University Students Return to Campus Post Kirk Assassination

Ian D’Amato

Staff Writer

On Sept. 17, one week after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, Utah Valley University resumed classes. Kirk was assassinated on Sept. 10 while hosting a debate on campus for his “American Comeback Tour.”

Various students described the campus after Kirk’s assassination. One student said to Fox News that the campus was “scary” and “somber,” adding that the incident was “traumatic.” Another student, Afton Miller, who was standing feet away from Kirk when he was shot, said, “No one should ever be able to say I’ve witnessed a school shooting, let alone the assassination of one of your greatest heroes.”

Following his death, there have been ongoing tributes and memorials for him in the spot where he was murdered. Students have placed flowers, notecards, and a large American flag in the area.

Many students have united in prayer after Kirk’s death, and many Utah Valley locals have visited the campus to pay their respects. According to ABC4 Utah, President of Utah Valley, Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, encouraged all students to “utilize mental health services for support if necessary.”

Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox also spoke to students directly on campus on Sept. 17, sharing his frustration and fear of this volatile political climate.

He said, “I know some of you are angry, you deserve to be. I’m not here to tell you not to be angry. All I’m here to say is, what you do with this anger, that’s what determines where we go from here.”

Kirk’s assassin, Tyler Robinson, was found after a 33-hour manhunt following the murder, when his gun was discovered in the yard of a student near campus. Many people online have speculated conspiracy theories about Israel’s involvement, as Kirk had recently come out against the nation, amidst the U.S. funding their war against Hamas.

Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, was also the first foreign leader to release a statement about Kirk’s murder.

There was also speculation around Candace Owens’ statements about Bill Ackman pressuring Kirk to visit Israel in an article published by The Economic Times. Students of Utah Valley have heard these conspiracies run throughout campus.

Utah Valley hopes to continue life as normal and to unite in solidarity following an event they never thought they would see on their campus.