Republicans gathered at the party's midterm convention in Dallas to commemorate the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, on the first anniversary of his assassination.
Attendees shared personal reflections on how Kirk, who was 31 at the time of his death, influenced conservative movements, particularly among young people. "Charlie Kirk is a wonderful man, and he is very much missed," Marsha Landry of Texas told Fox News Digital. "He was making a lot of progress in this country, especially among the youth."
Jacquez Jones, a young convention attendee, stated that Kirk's legacy continues to inspire courage in spreading conservative messages and faith. "It's a daily reminder that we have to have courage to go out there and spread the message, not only of just conservatism, but our faith as well," Jones said. "And so on this anniversary, I look back at not only what Charlie Kirk was able to accomplish, but the things that even in his passing he's still able to do."
Kirk was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a Turning Point USA "American Comeback Tour" event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. A single shot was fired from a rooftop overlooking the event. Kirk, a father of two, died at a local hospital shortly after the incident.
Jones commented on the significance of Kirk's death, stating, "I think it's an extremely somber reminder of what we have in this country, that free speech is not free, that somebody died for that right, and Charlie Kirk [was] somebody who was brave enough to go out there on the college campuses and talk about conservatism and prove to the American people and the young generation that the conservative policies still work."
Mike Hurst of Mississippi recalled the shock upon hearing the news. "It was one of the most gut-wrenching feelings I've ever seen, and of course, I went online, I saw the video, and to this day I'm still shocked that that could happen in our country," Hurst said, adding a call for more individuals like Kirk who promote civil dialogue.
The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, reportedly fled the scene and surrendered to authorities the following night after his parents convinced him to turn himself in. Pre-trial proceedings in Robinson's case are ongoing, involving disputes over media access and potential sentencing.
Alex Stone of Missouri expressed that many young people are seeking a leader to fill the void left by Kirk's death. "Since Charlie's assassination, people have been lost," Stone said. "People have been looking for a voice or a leader to lead them in the right direction, and so we need people who are going to stand up and rise up and say, 'this is what is good, this is what is true, this what is beautiful.' And 'this is wrong, and here's what we should do in the face of it.'"