Hundreds gathered Sunday night in the Utah hometown of alleged gunman Tyler Robinson to honor Charlie Kirk, mourn with his family, and acknowledge the pain of Robinson’s relatives.
Organizer Jordan Hess told the crowd he was “deeply moved” by their attendance.
“I’m grateful that everyone felt the desire and the need to be here in the spirit of community tonight,” he said, clearly emotional.
Hess stated the event aimed to “celebrate who we are as Americans – and to mourn … We gather today not as Democrats or Republicans, not as left or right, not as different races or believers of different religions but as citizens of the greatest, most enduring experiment of self-government that the world has ever known.”
Attendees listen as speakers call for unity during a vigil in Washington City, Utah, on Sept. 14, 2025. (Fox News Digital)
“It’s better to discuss matters instead of resorting to actions that harm others,” he mentioned, emphasizing that violence contradicts the principles on which America was founded.
A fan of Kirk, Holyoak depicted him as “an inspiring young person who understood things early on.” He appreciated how Kirk was receptive to different viewpoints, treated individuals with dignity, and promoted open dialogue.
“I just think we all need to act that way,” he said.
For him, the vigil was about honoring Kirk’s legacy while urging the community – and the country – to return to dialogue over conflict.
Utah Tech University President Shane Smeed expressed to those gathered that the vigil was a chance for unity and healing. Speaking in a personal capacity rather than officially, Smeed described the past week as “an incredibly difficult, tragic week” and encouraged the community to find strength in faith rather than fear.
He pondered over the essence of unity, portraying it as harmony and oneness, and used the imagery of Canadian geese flying in formation to demonstrate communal support — and the impact when one lags behind. True unity, he elaborated, means ensuring no one is left isolated. “To be peacemakers, we must endeavor to eliminate contention and hatred from our lives,” Smeed declared.
He closed with a prayer for peace, reminding the community that healing would come only through choosing dialogue, compassion, and unity.
