Charlie Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” will continue on to Utah State University later this month, just weeks after the Turning Point USA founder was shot dead at a college campus in the state.
“I think that that’s exactly what Charlie would have wanted,” said Turning Point USA’s Utah State University Chapter President Kaitlin Griffiths. “He wouldn’t want things to go on hold. He would only want this to empower our organization and our entire nation.”
Kirk, 31, was assassinated on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, which was the first stop on his latest tour, as he engaged in a dialogue with students across the political spectrum – a hallmark of the slain conservative activist’s events.
Utah State University — located in Logan, about 130 miles north of the site of Kirk’s assassination — will host the tour on Sept. 30.
Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with murdering Kirk, had been a student at Utah State University but only attended for one semester in the fall of 2021.
Here’s the latest on the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah
- Police identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged assassin who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
- Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
- Law enforcement confirmed that Robinson was living with a transgender roommate, and communications between the two helping the feds catch the alleged assassin.
- Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA creator, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was fatally shot in the neck by a single shot.
- President Trump was among many who have called for the assassin to receive the death penalty.
- Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
- Kirk’s funeral, which President Trump has promised to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Kirk, a rising MAGA star, is survived by his wife and two young children.
“He wouldn’t want his movement to go on pause because of this,” Griffiths told local outlet Fox 13. “He would only want it to grow stronger and to continue.”
Griffiths noted that Turning Point USA has not yet told her chapter who the speaker will be for the event, but Turning Point USA announced earlier this week that Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, would be taking the helm of the organization.
The university said in a statement that it had already been “working with local, state and federal partners to ensure appropriate security measures” for the event, prior Kirk’s assassination.
“Given the heightened concerns, USU’s department of public safety is continuing to collaborate with these partners to ensure appropriate safety measures and protocols are in place,” the school said.
Kirk’s event at Utah Valley University was held outdoors and drew a massive crowd.
Griffiths indicated that the Utah State event is drawing “increasing, growing interest” and may be held inside the school’s basketball arena.
“I’ve gotten a lot of people offering to help, asking if there’s any way to volunteer for helping with that event. A lot of people in the local community, at the school as well, just asking for more details,” Griffiths said.
Charlie Kirk’s funeral will be held Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.
