Podcaster, political influencer, religious leader, author and speaker Charlie Kirk died Sept. 10 after receiving a gunshot wound to the neck while making an outdoor appearance at Utah Valley University—a college campus visit similar to many others Kirk had made over the past years representing his organization, Turning Point USA, which has rapidly opened many local chapters on college and high school campuses across the country over recent years.

Kirk would speak with college students for hours on end, hearing out their views and questions, offering his own counterpoints and perspectives—generally promoting free markets and limited government—and, admittedly, intending to sway the youth vote from Democrat to Republican. These campus events would often draw thousands of supporters, critics and curious members of the student body and public. They also certainly played a part in Donald Trump’s successful 2024 election campaign.

The killing—perhaps the most prominent public political assassination this country has seen since the tumultuous days of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Robert F. Kennedy—rocked the nation.

Those in support of Kirk issued an outpouring of condolences, admiration of his work, and assurances they would continue promoting his message.

“Charlie Kirk was an American hero and a role model to many young students across the nation and world,” according to a statement issued by the MTSU Turning Point chapter. “He was a true American warrior, and we must continue his legacy. We must continue to defend freedom in America.”

Droves of Americans asserted that no one deserved to die based on their peaceful expression of ideas. Some were introduced to his work for the first time.

“Though I disagree with 99% of his theology, all political violence is abhorrent and should be condemned by every American,” local resident Molly Greene Patton shared shortly after the news broke.

Another commenter responded shortly after: “Thank you for this. It means more coming from someone who strongly disagrees with him. And I agree with you that no political violence is ever okay. I weep for anyone targeted this way, no matter their viewpoint on politics or any other issue,” Ashley Andrews Cordes said. “We can’t go around killing each other because we disagree, even if the disagreement is painful and frustrating.”

A large number of those opposed to Kirk’s stances made public statements suggesting he got what he deserved or that the murder was acceptable (even admirable), shocking many.

“This is so incredibly upsetting. We should not live in fear of sharing our voice,” another area resident, Rebecca Leicht, said. “You cannot just murder people who do not share your views, no matter what political party you identify with.”

Talking for three hours a day on his radio program and in sometimes-spirited conversations with thousands of other Americans, Kirk likely made some controversial statements. But his overarching messages resonated with many, that America should preserve and celebrate the traditional family unit, slow down immigration, largely reject policies based on climate change and global warming fears, limit government and allow markets and individuals to operate in freedom, and protect the right to bear arms.

And Kirk championed the ideas of civilized discussion, rational debate, and coming together with those of differences of opinion to explore ideas respectfully, using reason and logic.

“When we disagree with each other, we need to talk about it, we need to accept that not everyone agrees with us and that they have the right to their opinion and the right to safety and life,” another Murfreesboro resident, Sean Moran, said shortly after the assassination.

Kirk was scheduled to participate in the Culture & Christianity Conference at Murfreesboro’s World Outreach Church in September; although his murder interfered with those plans, those who share his perspectives emphasize that his mission will continue with an even greater momentum.

“Even though Charlie Kirk has left us, he is very much still alive. His message and his words live on,” said World Outreach Senior Pastor Allen Jackson. “Pray for Turning Point USA and its subsidiaries. They’ve held a place of significance, particularly in the life of young people in our nation. Pray for our nation. Pray that freedom of speech will be valued and protected, not silenced. Pray that God will raise up more bold voices for His truth.”

The messages that Charlie Kirk stood up for and reminded students of still ring true, Jackson said.

“If you’ve been afraid to be a friend of the truth in public, right now would be a good time to begin to speak it.”

Laura Sosh-Lightsy, the now-former assistant dean for student care and conduct at Middle Tennessee State University, was not a supporter of Kirk’s message.

“Looks like ol’ Charlie spoke his fate into existence,” she posted to social media just hours after his death. “Hate begets hate. Zero sympathy.”

This post from the team member of a university department that exists to support “a positive, healthy, and safe student experience” and to “meet the needs of students who may be in distress” (and, one may surmise, be directly involved in grief counseling if a traumatic crime were to occur on the MTSU campus) drew pushback.

“To celebrate the assassination of anyone is to truly embrace evil, an evil that has no business around young minds searching for a way in this troubled world,” Capo Carpenter said.

Yet Sosh-Lightsy stood by her comments.

The following morning, Sept. 11, the very day after Kirk’s killing, MTSU dismissed the employee.

“At MTSU, we take great pride in a campus that is truly a marketplace of ideas. We respect and value differences of opinion and freedom of expression,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said in a statement. “A man was assassinated for his beliefs on a campus not unlike our own. This is the time when we count on our staff to be thoughtful, supportive and even-keeled. [The comment] was the exact opposite of what we would expect from anyone who represents our university to students and the public.

“Her thoughtlessness and lack of empathy mean that no one walking into her office can see her as an objective arbiter of facts.”

Many students, taxpayers and alumni supported the termination of this employee.

“Probably the right move,” Megan McGinness said.

Ken Paulson, generally a fierce proponent of free expression who serves as the director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, reminded social media users that they certainly may expect consequences at work for insensitive or offensive posts.

“At most workplaces across the country—without a contract, union or legislative protections—you can lose your job just because your boss decides to fire you,” Paulson wrote. “If you wouldn’t express an opinion to co-workers, you may not want to post it on your social media, either.”

He encouraged Americans to speak up, engage in public discourse and to not “be afraid to use your free speech,” but advised social media users to “make your points with facts, not venom,” to be kind and empathetic, avoid tasteless celebrations and comments and seek to “inform rather than aggravate.”

Numerous other employees across the U.S. found themselves without jobs due to celebrating Kirk’s death or suggesting that the murder of a peaceful American was justified.

“There was no hate in his heart,” Tucker Carlson said about his friend at a massive memorial service for Kirk held at the home stadium of the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale.

Those inspired by Kirk’s message said that Americans should talk things through respectfully, remembering that Kirk would engage in spiritual, financial, political, moral, relationship or philosophical dialogues with just about anyone, making a genuine effort to maintain civility.

Kirk had stated that “it’s important for ideas to collide.”

“When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence. That’s when civil war happens, because you start to think the other side is so evil, and they lose their humanity,” Kirk said.

The ladies of The View, individuals who had vastly different opinions than Kirk on various modern issues, pleaded with Americans just after the murder to stop political violence and to talk with one another.

“Isn’t a fundamental part of being an American that we are able to express our opinions to each other without fear, without this kind of horror happening?” a shaken Whoopi Goldberg asked on the show, calling the assassination “beyond devastating.”

“This is not the way we do it,” she said. “We all have voices.”

Entering this school year, Turning Point USA said it had approximately 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters. In the first seven days since Kirk’s death, Turning Point USA has received more than 54,000 requests from students who want to start or join a chapter, according to the organization.

“Charlie’s life was a turning point for this country,” said his widow, Erika Kirk, vowing to continue his legacy. “I promise I’ll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.”

Now CEO of the organization, Erika says that “now his mission is my mission. Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie’s vision and hard work, we will make ten times greater through the power of his memory. Chapters will grow. Thousands of new ones will be created.

“And yes, campus events will continue and we will continue to hold debates and dialogue.”

At the memorial service, she said she forgave the killer, referencing Jesus’ words of “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“The answer to hate is not hate,” Erika Kirk said. “The answer, we know from the Gospel, is love.”

“Charlie died far too early,” she said. “He was also ready to die.”

In the days following the death she referenced her husband’s “killers,” and said “they have no idea the fire they have lit.”

Many observers say that the FBI has lost credibility and official government narratives can not be trusted, as theories swirl regarding who’s behind the assassination, pointing blame at groups ranging from the Israelis to the Jesuits, from liberals to the Reptilians, from the Satanists to Kirk’s own organization and wife, and on to the deep state.

Who shot him? From where? Was he even shot?

Nashville-based journalist Candace Owens told her millions of followers that she will work to solve her friend’s murder.

In a theory gaining traction, some have pointed out that—regardless of the controversy and anger caused by his remarks on politics, homosexuality, transgenderism, Christianity, immigration and other hot-button topics—the public assassination came shortly after his stance on Israel began to shift.

Over recent months, Kirk and numerous other leading conservatives began drifting from strong support of Israel’s mission, questioning some of the objectives, methods and policies of the Israeli government.

Some frame his killing as a modern martyr laying down his life for Christ, or another tale of an unstable, violent individual connected to the transgender community; others suggest it’s an act carried out by a mentally ill lone wolf, or a well-orchestrated plot by a powerful group in an attempt to eliminate an opponent with a message counter to their goals.

Despite other significant differences in each of their worldviews, Kirk shared something in common with JFK, MLK, RFK and X—the nerve to question the military industrial complex and establishment culture of the day, followed by a violent early exit from this earth.