Charlie Kirk supporters return to site of assassination 1 year later: ‘We are still standing’, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/us/charlie-kirk-supporters-return-site-assassination-1-year-later-still-standing)
11-09-2026
The Fox News article reports on a memorial gathering held by Turning Point USA (TPUSA) at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025.Key details covered in the report include:
- Reclaiming the Campus: TPUSA leaders and supporters framed the anniversary gatheringtitled “Freedom Built to Last”as an intentional effort to reclaim the physical campus courtyard where Kirk was fatally shot, declaring that his movement and message would not be silenced by violence.
- Speeches from Eyewitnesses:
- Andrew Sypher, TPUSA’s chief field officer who was standing approximately 10 feet from Kirk when the shot was fired, addressed the crowd. He reflected on Kirk’s mindset that day, sharing a text message Kirk sent him that morning stating he came “to show them kindness” and engage respectfully with opposing viewpoints rather than pick a fight. Sypher emphasized that returning was a statement that “we refuse to let the last word be a gunshot.”
- Sage Lloyd, president of the UVU TPUSA chapter, recounted the grief and trauma students experienced in the aftermath. She noted that despite having reasons to walk away, chapter members chose courage over fear to keep the student organization active on campus.
- Memorial and Statue Unveiling: The gathering featured worship performances, video tributes, floral memorials, and the unveiling of a new permanent statue honoring Kirk at the university.
- Campus and Family Response: UVU closed campus operations for the anniversary day while permitting TPUSA to use the outdoor grounds for the memorial. Separately, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, commemorated the day on social media with a wedding photograph and tribute to her late husband.