Yesterday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2025, conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed during a debating event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk was 31 years old. Before his death, he was known by many students at Van Nuys High School and around the United States for debating college students about their political and moral views.
“I know him from Tiktok with his debates that caused controversy,” senior Camilla O’Neil said.
Being familiar with Kirk’s views and beliefs, various students at Van Nuys High School share their thoughts on his passing.
“I don’t agree with his views, but nobody should die because of their political views,” senior Samantha Silva said.
O’Neil also commented on Kirk’s death.
“My condolences go out to his family. No one deserves to have to go through the feeling of living through grief, especially his young kids. And although I did not agree with his opinions or views at all, I do hope his family gets to live in a better world than he would’ve wanted,” senior Camilla O’Neil said. “Charlie Kirk stated that unfortunately some gun deaths were needed to uphold the second amendment, so he died by his own views.”
O’Neil finished off by stating that despite her differing beliefs from Kirk, violence is not the answer.
“Even though he never sympathized with other victims of gun violence and the people dying in Gaza and Palestine, gun violence is never the answer and is too common in our country,” she said. “Things like this should never happen.”
Sophomore Alexa Sandoval feels the same way about Kirk’s children.
“Charlie Kirk was a racist homophobic, transphobic bigot and I feel like he got what he deserved,” she said. “I don’t feel bad for him or his wife since she stuck by him knowing the person he is. I only feel bad for his kids since they watched their dad die.”
The perpetrator who shot and killed Kirk has yet to be caught as the search for them continues. The Department of Public Safety declared this shooting as an assasination and an ongoing investigation. Currently, Utah Valley University is on lockdown until further notice.
Former president Joe Biden and former vice president Kamala Harris have given their regards toward Kirk’s family and condemn the act of violence. Current president Donald Trump has also put out a statement on social media, saying he regarded Kirk as a close friend.
Based on who is found guilty of his murder, Kirk’s assasination could now be added to the growing string of political violence around the United States. Other acts of this nature include Melissa Hortman, who was shot and killed along with her husband in June 2025; Paul and Nancy Pelosi who were attacked in their home in Oct. 2022; and the attempted assasination of president Donald Trump in July 2024.
Yesterday, the president ordered all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff until Sunday evening at 6 p.m. The New Republic points out that the president did not do this for the Hortmans when they were killed. Today, the president has announced that he will be awarding Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.