OREM, Utah (RTW News) — The community around Utah Valley University is reeling after the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 13. Witnesses to the event are now battling trauma and anxiety as they prepare to return to campus, with many students expressing feelings of unease and fear.
Students who witnessed the shooting are not only dealing with shock but are also haunted by the memory of seeing Kirk fall just feet away from them. As police continue their investigation into the alleged shooter, Tyler James Robinson, students reflect on their experiences during the incident and the aftermath.
Robinson's arrest has brought a measure of relief; however, questions remain regarding his motives and the circumstances that led to the shooting. In response to increased concern, the university is implementing heightened security when classes resume.
A makeshift memorial has been established at the site of Kirk's shooting. Students and community members have been gathering to pay their respects, leaving notes and flowers in his honor.
Student Alec Vera, who witnessed the shooting, shared, I just kind of felt the need to come here, to be with everyone, either to comfort or to be comforted. This sentiment resonates deeply among students who are seeking solace amidst their shared grief.
Some students, like 18-year-old Marjorie Holt, are still too shaken to return. Holt, who watched in horror as the incident unfolded, said it may take time to process the trauma associated with the event. With classes resuming soon, many fear what a return to campus will mean.
In addition to individual struggles, there has been a broader communal response. Outside of the campus, reactions have been mixed, leading to repercussions for individuals critical of Kirk's rhetoric, including a worker fired from Office Depot for refusing to fulfill a request related to a vigil in his memory.
Discussions around violence, mental health, and the impact of political rhetoric are gaining attention in the wake of these events. As Utah Valley University prepares for its students' return, the hope remains not just for healing but for a community capable of growing stronger through adversity.
