Vigil Held at Utah State Capitol for Charlie Kirk Following UVU Shooting

Vigil Held at Utah State Capitol for Charlie Kirk Following UVU Shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening at the Utah State Capitol Rotunda to honor Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed earlier in the day during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.

The vigil, which began at 7 p.m., was organized by members of the Utah House of Representatives. Large photos of Kirk and his family were displayed as attendees held hands, bowed their heads in prayer, and listened to remarks from lawmakers and community leaders. The emotional gathering reflected the shock and grief felt across the state and beyond.

Kirk, who was visiting Utah as part of his American Comeback Tour, was addressing students at UVU’s Orem campus when gunfire erupted around 12:20 p.m. Initially, a suspect was taken into custody, prompting a campus lockdown, but that individual was later released. Authorities now say the suspected shooter remains at large, and the FBI has joined the investigation.

The shooting has prompted widespread condemnation from public figures across the political spectrum. Former President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on social media, calling him “the great, and even legendary, Charlie Kirk.” Utah Governor Spencer Cox also expressed his condolences, urging unity and rejecting political violence.

As investigators continue to search for the shooter, the vigil at the Capitol served as both a memorial and a call for justice, highlighting the impact of Kirk’s work and the community’s resolve to honor his legacy.