Virginia Tech hosts vigil for late political influencer Charlie Kirk

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – Days after the shooting death of political influencer Charlie Kirk, a vigil was held for him at Virginia Tech.

The vigil, hosted by the College Republicans at Virginia Tech and Turning Point USA VT, took place on the Drillfield in front of the chapel.

Jacob Taylor, the secretary and treasurer of Turning Point USA VT, spoke at the vigil.

“Through his work, he lifted up countless young men and women, brought our generation to engage in the political system and make their voices heard, and he utterly defined the discussion about the 2024 election and electoral swings,” he said. “And he seriously led people to channel their emotions and anger at the modern world into a force for productivity, a force for order, and for reason, and to build something rather than tear everything down. And now we’ve lost that voice and a pillar of our movement.”

The Republican candidate for Governor and current Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, was also present at the vigil.

“It is a tragedy for all of us, all of us who believe in the right to speak, to think, and to live free from violence,” Earle-Sears expressed.

“If we don’t have the ability to speak freely in America, then what do we have?” Earle-Sears asked the crowd.

In a post on X on Wednesday, former Congresswoman and Democratic candidate for governor Abigail Spanberger shared the following statement:

“I am horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk today. Adam and I are praying for his family and the entire Utah Valley University community who witnessed this horrific act. Political violence has absolutely no place in this country. This violent criminal must be found and brought to justice.”

Congressmen John McGuire and Morgan Griffith, Montgomery County Sheriff Hank Partin, and Delegate Chris Obenshain were also in attendance at the vigil.

Kirk was shot on Wednesday, September 10, during an event held at Utah Valley University. He was later pronounced dead.

Authorities now have a suspect in custody, identified as Tyler Robinson, 22.