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Hundreds gathered Sunday night in the Utah hometown of alleged gunman Tyler Robinson to honor Charlie Kirk, mourn with his family, and acknowledge the pain of Robinson’s relatives.

Organizer Jordan Hess told the crowd he was “deeply moved” by their attendance. 

“I’m grateful that everyone felt the desire and the need to be here in the spirit of community tonight,” he said, clearly emotional.

Hess said the event was organized to “celebrate who we are as Americans – and to mourn … We gather today not as Democrats or Republicans, not as left or right, not as different races or believers of different religions but as citizens of the greatest, most enduring experiment of self-government that the world has ever known.”

CHARLIE KIRK’S FRIEND URGES MOURNERS TO ‘GO BACK TO CHURCH’ FOLLOWING ACTIVIST’S KILLING

Community members gather in Washington City, Utah, on Sept. 14, 2025, for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. (Fox News Digital)

He noted the vigil was also about mourning Kirk’s life, mourning for his family, the family of the alleged shooter, the students who witnessed the tragedy, and “mourning what this moment threatens to say about the state of our union.”

Whether or not people agreed with Kirk’s beliefs, “one truth remains, he was an American, a citizen, a son, a husband and maybe most importantly a voice. He bravely used his voice to advocate for things he believed in: faith, family and freedom,” Hess said. 

He added that “political assassination is not just the taking of life, it is the attempted murder of dialogue,” imploring that people should be able to “disagree passionately without destroying one another.”

UTAH LEADERS URGE UNITY FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION: ‘TURNING POINT FOR AMERICA’

Community members gather in Washington City, Utah, on Sept. 14, 2025, for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk. (Fox News Digital)

Attendee Taylor Crosby told Fox News Digital that he decided to come to the vigil because the “recent attack on free speech is something that should motivate the entire country to come together because when we can’t speak our mind, that’s the death of democracy at that point. So, something needs to change and I want to be the change that we want to see in the world.”

Although he didn’t agree with Kirk on everything, Crosby said he respected his opinions and that he fought for what he believed in.

Crosby said he didn’t know the Robinson family but had heard he was involved in a socialist community in the area.

UTAH STUDENTS LIFT VOICES IN PRAYER AT VIGIL FOR CHARLIE KIRK’S CHRISTIAN LEGACY: ‘FELT CALLED BY GOD’

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah, prior to the assassination. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“And I’ve had friends that are part of that group, and a lot of them are just filled with hate and vitriol,” he said. “I’ve gotten blocked and removed as friends for having opinions as basic as having a border and not letting in unlimited numbers of migrants. So, there’s definitely a wide extreme of people in this area. Anywhere from people who will come to support free speech to people who will demonize you for having an opinion that 50% of the population believes in. So it’s tough.”

Jesse Wilkinson stood quietly in the crowd wearing a shirt emblazoned with the word “Freedom.” 

For Wilkinson, a part-time firefighter from St. George who now lives in Washington, Utah, showing up was about more than politics.

“I just wanted to support my community,” he said. “I know we’re going through a hard time with the alleged shooter being from here and everything. I grew up in St. George… I just wanted to be supportive and share my love and support for all those that are mourning, especially the Kirk family as well as the Robinson family. I know they’re going through a really hard time.”

Wilkinson said he became a firefighter out of a desire to serve, and Kirk’s death struck him deeply.

VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: ‘WE MUST HEAL’

Charile Kirk and his wife, Erika Lane Frantzve and their two children at Christmas in December 2024. (Charlie Kirk via Facebook)

“I think he was an amazing, amazing man. He was having an amazing impact. I admire the man, and I know his voice will echo forever.”

He also framed the tragedy as an attack not just on Kirk but on the freedoms he stood for.

“If we’re silent, that’s what’s going to cause violence. We need to come together, we need to talk, and agree to disagree,” he said, echoing Kirk’s words about open debate.

Even his shirt carried meaning. The “freedom” design, a gift from his mother, was a subtle nod to Kirk’s style and the values he represented.

“We’re the greatest country on the face of the planet, and we have amazing freedoms,” Wilkinson said.

For him, the vigil was about honoring Kirk, standing with neighbors, and recommitting to the principles of dialogue and freedom.

Kevin Holyoak shared a similar message. He told Fox News Digital the evening was a time for reflection, adding that the country is going through tough times and urging people to respect differing beliefs.

CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING LEADS TO OUTPOURING FROM UTAH OFFICIALS, 2025 NOMS ON BOTH SIDES

Attendees listen as speakers call for unity during a vigil in Washington City, Utah, on Sept. 14, 2025. (Fox News Digital)

“It’s better to talk through things as opposed to taking measures into your own hands that harm somebody else,” he said, noting that violence runs against the values America was built on.

A fan of Kirk, Holyoak described him as “an inspiring young person that got it real early.” He admired how Kirk listened to opposing opinions, treated people with respect, and encouraged open conversation.

“I just think we all need to act that way,” he said.

For him, the vigil was about honoring Kirk’s legacy while urging the community – and the country – to return to dialogue over conflict.

Utah Tech University President Shane Smeed told mourners the vigil was a moment for unity and healing. Speaking personally and not in his official role, Smeed called the past week “an incredibly difficult, tragic week” and urged the community to lean on faith instead of fear.

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He reflected on the meaning of unity, describing it as harmony and oneness, and used the image of Canadian geese flying in formation to illustrate how individuals support one another — and what happens when one falls behind. True unity, he said, means ensuring no one is left alone. “To be peacemakers, we have to strive to remove contention and hate in our lives,” Smeed said.

He closed with a prayer for peace, reminding the community that healing would come only through choosing dialogue, compassion, and unity.

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LARAMIE, Wyo. (ABC4 Sports) – It was an extremely slow start for the Utah offense Saturay night at Wyoming. But the Utes got it in gear in the second half to run away with a dominating 31-6 win over Wyoming to improve to 3-0 for the third straight year.

Devon Dampier led four consecutive touchdown drives in the second half, and No. 20 Utah beat Wyoming in the rivals’ first meeting since 2010.

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Dampier completed eight straight passes on Utah’s third-quarter scoring drives, finishing 27 of 41 for 230 yards and two TDs while adding 86 yards rushing. The Utes (3-0) scored on every second-half possession and finished with 311 yards on the ground.

Utes prepare for first trip to Wyoming in 15 years

“I wanted to see what our offense is built of. For us to not have a touchdown and then be able to come out after halftime and go 100 percent is awesome to see,” Dampier said.

NaQuari Rogers ran for a 1-yard TD to cap a 10-play, 83-yard drive to begin the second half.

On the next possession, Dampier engineered a 19-play, 80-yard march. On the final play, he dropped the ball after his dropback, picked it up and then threw a 8-yard scoring strike to Larry Simmons with 0:23 left in the third quarter.

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After an interception by Jackson Bennee, Dampier connected with JJ Buchanan for a 14-yard TD to make it 24-0 with 8:35 remaining.

Terron Kellman rushed for a 15-yard TD on fourth-and-1 with 4:23 to play for Wyoming’s only score. Utah answered with Hunter Andrews’ 11-yard scoring rush.

“Devon Dampier is really good … and they won both sides of the line of scrimmage, particularly in the second half,” Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel said.

It was the 84th meeting between the schools but the first in 15 years. Wyoming (2-1) has only played Colorado State more than Utah.

Early on, the prolific Utah offense was stymied by key mistakes. Most costly was Nate Johnson’s fumble that was forced by Desman Hearns and recovered by Andrew Johnson at the Wyoming 3 with 2:02 left until halftime.

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So, what was the big halftime speech? “Finish drives!” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham told his team.

Utes trounce Cal Poly 63-9 to improve to 2-0

The Utes had six penalties for 68 yards in the first half and many wiped away big plays.

Utah’s Dillon Curtis made a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter but missed two others and had one blocked by Anees Vyas just before halftime.

“Kind of a weird game. We had very similar yardage in the first half and second half, but very different results,” Whittingham said.

Ryan Davis, who transferred from New Mexico to Utah with Dampier, had a career-high 10 receptions for 91 yards.

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On an unsettled day of wind and rain, it took a half for Dampier and the Utes to settle in. The Utes may rise in the rankings but they have plenty to work on before beginning Big 12 play against Texas Tech next week. Fortunately for the Utes, their defense was stingy, limiting Wyoming’s Kaden Anderson to 108 yards passing. John Henry Daley had two sacks, doubling his total on the year.

“We want to make sure people know that we can dominate in the trenches and also on the back end as well,” Daley said.

The Cowboys had given up just one touchdown all season and corralled Utah for a half until Dampier wore them down. Wyoming ran just 57 plays to Utah’s 86 and was outgained 541 yards to 229.

Utah next hosts No. 21 Texas Tech next Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

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Charlie Kirk, a native of suburban Chicago and an influential young conservative closely allied with President Donald Trump, died Wednesday after he was shot at an event in Utah.

Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Truth Social hours after he was shot.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Kirk, who was born in Arlington Heights and attended Wheeling High School, was 31.

Videos posted to social media from Utah Valley University, the college where the event was held, show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans, “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”

A single shot rings out, and Kirk can be seen reaching up with his right hand as a large volume of blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators are heard gasping and screaming before people start to run away.

Tess Crowley/AP

A person suspected in Kirk’s shooting was brought in for questioning and subsequently released, said FBI Director Kash Patel.

“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected,” Patel said in a post on X.

Trump also ordered flags at the White House, public buildings and grounds, and military posts to be flown at half-staff until Sunday.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also responded to the shooting on X, calling the attack “horrifying.”

“Political violence has no place in this country and should never become the norm,” Pritzker wrote.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, a Republican, described the fatal shooting as a, “heinous act of political violence,” in a statement.

“Charlie was a husband and father to two young children before anything else. He did not deserve to die because of his ideological views. Elected officials, the media, and we as Americans must hold ourselves to a higher standard and work to ease the political tensions that have embroiled our nation. My prayers remain with Charlie’s family and loved ones in light of this tragedy,” LaHood said in the statement.

Former President George W. Bush released a statement through his presidential center’s X account, saying Kirk was killed while expressing his political views.

“Violence and vitriol must be purged from the public square. Members of other political parties are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens,” the statement read.

Classes at the university were canceled and the campus was closed until further notice, the school announced. Students who were on campus were told to shelter in place until police can escort them off campus.

Kirk founded Turning Point USA, a conservative group with chapters at many high schools and colleges across the country.

Turning Point USA posted a statement on X confirming Kirk’s death and asking for prayers for Kirk’s family.

“May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” the statement read.

Kirk was married to Erika Frantzve Kirk, a former Miss Arizona pageant queen. The couple has two children.

Last year, he spoke at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. At the convention, he said Trump would reverse the “fake, pathetic, mutilated version of the American dream” that he said existed under former President Joe Biden.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A spike in political violence

The shooting comes amid a spike in political violence in the United States across all parts of the ideological spectrum. The attacks include the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their house in June, the firebombing of a Colorado parade to demand Hamas release hostages, and a fire set at the house of Pennsylvania’s governor, who is Jewish, in April. The most notorious of these events was the attempted assassination of Trump during a campaign rally last year.

Pritzker acknowledged recent high-profile acts of political violence and blamed Trump for stirring up violence, using his decision to pardon people who were charged or convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol as an example.

“We’ve seen other political violence occur in other states, and I would just say, it’s got to stop,” Pritzker said while addressing reporters. “And I think there are people who are fomenting it in this country. I think the president’s rhetoric often foments it.”

Former Utah congressman Jason Chaffetz, a Republican who was at the event, said in an interview on Fox News Channel that he heard one shot and saw Kirk go back.

“It seemed like it was a close shot,” Chaffetz said, who seemed shaken as he spoke.

Contributing: AP, Tina Sfondeles