By Elijah Penn, Staff Writer
Charlie Kirk was a figure who has directly impacted some members of the Saint Leo community. Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at 18 with the goal of motivate young conservatives; the organization grew rapidly with a presence on thousands of college campuses.
According to BBC, on Sept. 10, Charlie Kirk was taking questions in front of a crowd of around 3,000 people at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Around 12:20 p.m., a gunshot was heard, and Kirk slumped off his chair, visibly wounded. Kirk was taken to the hospital and was confirmed to have passed away at 31 years of age. Two days later, authorities confirmed they had the suspect in custody.
The assassination of Kirk underscores a concerning trend in political violence in recent times. Frank Orlando, a Political Science instructor at Saint Leo University, notes that following the Civil Rights movement of the1960s and 1970s, acts of political violence were rare. The past decade has seen an end to that respite. Orlando points to the polarized political climate and social media. We have seen, says Orlando, an increase “in the number of people that are okay with political violence, . . . especially among younger people. I think this is a worrying trend for the future.”
Orlando argues that it falls on the public to combat such actions by reenforcing the idea that political violence is unacceptable in our democratic society. “If we don’t have a common understanding that ‘this is bad,’ then we could, unfortunately, fall into a cycle of violence …. So, it’s important, even when you don’t agree with someone or their political beliefs, to be personally affected and to argue against political violence.”
On Tuesday Sept. 16, the Saint Leo Turning Point chapter put on a vigil for Kirk. It was clear that Kirk’s assassination sent shockwaves through the Saint Leo community, affecting students like Erin Romano, a senior English major and president of the campus’s Turning Point USA chapter.
“I would like to extend my personal thanks to Charlie Kirk for starting this movement—for giving me a voice I never knew that I had,” Romano stated. She first joined Turning Point in 2022 and has served on the TPUSA board “since the summer before my [Romano’s] freshman year”.
Romano saw him not just as a political leader, but as a personal mentor. She had the opportunity to meet him at a Chapter Leadership Summit, where the Saint Leo chapter was recognized for its success.
“He looked directly into my eyes, as if, not only was I one of his equal peers, but somebody of great value to him that he deeply respected,” Romano said. Romano saw Kirk again in February of 2025 at an event on the University of South Florida campus.
“I would like him to be remembered for,” Romano said, her voice weighing heavy with emotion, “his courage and his faith, but also I would like people to remember he died fighting for the rights of the people that hated him.”
Senior English major, Faith Skierkowski, who was previously involved with Turning Point USA, was disgusted to learn of Kirk’s murder.
“I am more so angry and outraged that someone could commit such a heinous act,” said Skierkowski.
“He brought me closer to God. I was also able to feel more comfortable speaking about what I believe in as a young conservative,” Skierkowski stated, remembering Kirk.
Skierkowski is confident that the movement Kirk started will not die with him. “I don’t think his death ended the spread of Turning Point USA; I think it made him a martyr to us, and I will forever stand with him,” said Skierkowski.
However, not everyone at Saint Leo agreed with Kirk’s philosophy, like Ashley McGaster, a sophomore criminal justice and psychology major.
“I don’t believe that anyone deserves to be killed,” McGaster said, “but I don’t feel like he’s just this good person.” McGaster then gave her sympathies to Kirk’s family.
“I just don’t feel like he was worth this hype,” McGaster opined. “I wish people would … wake up and realize that,” said McGaster, referencing comments Kirk made about certain minority groups.
For Romano, her response is one of renewed commitment. In a final charge to her peers to honor Kirk’s legacy, she challenged: “Open your Bibles, pray, attend church, and start your mission. Now is a good time as any to start your own Turning Point chapter—join a Turning Point chapter …. I urge you to not be afraid; have courage. Be in your faith and allow God to guide you, and, just, make heaven crowded.”
