Overview:
Before a large crowd on the grounds of Utah Valley University (UVU), prominent figure Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking. The date of September 10 was seared into countless minds – one day before the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Kirk, a well-known author, speaker, and political commentator, was shot down in the prime of life. His death shook the nation and shed light on the growing political divide. Questions still swirl as the collective shock begins to lessen. Why did the gunman seek to silence Kirk? Is violence becoming the new “normal” in American politics? Presence News seeks to examine the evidence and provide insight into this recent tragedy.
Editorial Note from Presence News: This will be the last time we report on the Charlie Kirk assassination. We believe there is already adequate coverage from major outlets including Bloomberg, the White House briefings, and FBI updates.
The Fatal Moment
As the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Kirk visited the campus as part of his national “The American Comeback Tour.” The gunman fired around 12:15 p.m. (MDT), cutting Kirk off mid-sentence. He lurched backwards with a wound to the neck. Chaos ensued as cries of “run!” echoed. Now we are left with the haunting footage.
According to reports, social media is full of posts asking for the media to remove the graphic videos from various platforms. YouTube released a statement, saying, “Our hearts are with Charlie Kirk’s family following his tragic death. We are closely monitoring our platform and prominently elevating news content on the homepage, in search and in recommendations to help people stay informed.”
Kirk’s death shines a light on the power of media and its grip upon society. What else can we learn in the wake of this tragedy?
History regarding political violence
As the shock begins to lessen, public figures and television program hosts keep claiming that this act of violence is not the “American way.” However, history tells another story.
According to Jonathan V. Last, editor of The Bulwark, “Political violence is a ribbon running through American history literally since the Founding. It is one of our unique characteristics as a country. And it is precisely because political violence is a powerful undercurrent in America that our leaders have a special duty to tamp it down and do everything in their power to keep it in remission.”
The American Revolution, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement all carried their own marks of bloodshed. Even in the 1980s, widely considered to be a calmer era, President Ronald Reagan survived a gunshot wound. For many Americans, political violence feels like a distant headline—until tragedies like the death of Charlie Kirk bring it painfully close.
American divide
The bottom line of the American divide runs along several fault lines: immigration, religious values, and the battle between ideologies on the far-left and far-right.
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro eulogized Kirk on X: “It was a privilege to watch this principled man stand up for his beliefs and create the single most important conservative political organization in America. But more importantly, Charlie was a good man, a man who believed in right and wrong, who stood by his Biblical values.”
Vice President J.D. Vance also remembered Kirk’s deep faith, recalling their debates about Catholicism and Protestantism. Others, like author Stephen King, admitted to mischaracterizing Kirk but later acknowledged his influence.
As the dust continues to settle, Americans are faced with questions about the nation’s future: What kind of country will we become? How can we stand against such acts of violence, whether we agree with Kirk or not?
Another Country – The Suspect in Custody
With the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, now in custody, questions of motive abound.
Robinson, a 22-year-old former straight-A student from Utah, comes from a family associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). According to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Robinson’s family and a friend cooperated with law enforcement, leading to his arrest in Washington County on the afternoon of September 11.
Early reports describe Robinson as quiet and academically gifted in high school, with a promising future. Friends suggest he struggled in recent years with isolation and growing frustration about politics. Whether he acted alone or with outside influence remains under investigation.
His story adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile national debate over free speech, extremism, and gun violence.
Fall-Out Report
Grief is a process, and the Kirk family faces a long and difficult road ahead. America herself stands at a crossroads in the wake of the 31-year-old’s assassination. Regardless of politics, Kirk leaves behind a wife, two small children, parents, and friends.
Theories will conflict or merge with facts surrounding Kirk’s death. Yet what remains clear is the truth for all of us to consider – we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized. Hold your loved ones close. Speak the truth. Examine all things.
Related article:
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/08/us/video/van-jones-the-right-is-race-mongering-in-light-rail-murder
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgknxyl77x6o
