Charlie Kirk supporters return to site of assassination 1 year later: We are still standing

One year after Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University, the people who stood feet from him when he was killed returned to the campus Thursday night in what Turning Point USA () described as a deliberate effort to "reclaim" the space in his honor.

"Were doing an event in Utah right now at UVU, a deliberate act reclaiming that space in his honor and for his legacy," TPUSA spokesman and "The Show" Executive Producer Andrew Kolvet told Fox News host Jesse Watters Thursday night.

Andrew Sypher, TPUSAs chief field officer, told the gathering at that he had been standing about 10 feet to Kirks left when the fatal shot rang out on Sept. 10, 2025.

"Steps from these doors is the ground where evil unfolded," Sypher said. "We did not come back to rehearse the crime scene."

Instead, Sypher said, they returned because "this is where they tried to end him" and "this is where we refuse to let the last word be a gunshot."

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For the students of UVUs TPUSA chapter, the anniversary marked a return to the campus where some witnessed Kirks assassination.

"A year ago, our lives changed forever," chapter President Sage Lloyd told the crowd. 

Lloyd said students experienced "fear, grief, confusion, and heartbreak" and had every reason to walk away.

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"We could have packed our bags. We could have stepped away," she said.

Despite the tragedy, the TPUSA chapter stayed.

"The same students who witnessed a political assassination are willing to stand up, speak out and keep moving forward," Lloyd said.

"We can let it define us through fear, or we can let it strengthen us through courage," she added. "The Turning Point chapter at UVU has made our decision, and we chose courage."

Sypher also revealed what he said was a text Kirk sent him on the morning he was assassinated.

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"Andrew, Im not here to pick a fight. I am here to show them kindness," Kirk wrote, according to Sypher.

"That was the assignment this time," Sypher said. "To talk with students who hate you. To share the truth, and to not become cruel doing it."

Soon afterward, Kirk was fatally shot.

"Charlies assassination did not put our faith to death," Sypher told the crowd. "It woke it up."

The service was marked with worship performances and video tributes to the fallen conservative leader, as well as an unveiling of a new statue to stay on campus at UVU.

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Kirks widow, Erika Kirk, separately marked the anniversary with a black-and-white photograph fro