Classes at Utah Valley University resumed on Wednesday, with students grappling with the aftermath of last week’s shooting that claimed the life of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, had been speaking at an event on campus during his American comeback tour when the incident occurred, leading to a chaotic scene among students and attendees.
“I was just a few feet away from him, so when the shooting happened, I was right there watching it happen,” one eyewitness recounted to CNN.
“In my experience, you don’t typically hear gunfire. This was terrifying, both hearing it and witnessing it firsthand,” he added.
Students from Zimbabwe, in particular, expressed the challenge of coping with constant reminders of the tragic event. “I’m trying to erase that image from my mind, but it just seems to replay every time I close my eyes,” Palazzai shared.
Utah Valley University has around 46,000 students, making it the largest public university in the state, located about 40 miles from Salt Lake City.
The event that Kirk attended attracted roughly 3,000 people, who came to see discussions featuring right-wing influencers.
“My friends and I still hear the gunshot in our heads. It’s something that’s going to stick with us,” noted another UVU student, Tiana Rao.
She described the rush of panic she felt returning to school on Friday for media inquiries, recalling, “I thought I was okay until I got there… my hands wouldn’t stop shaking, and my heart was racing.”
In response to the trauma, the university is offering free mental health services for affected students, at least for the remainder of the week.
Keep informed on developments regarding Charlie Kirk’s shooting
A gathering titled “Vill for Unity” is planned for Friday on campus, aimed at creating a supportive environment for students, faculty, and community members to come together for remembrance and healing.
“This violence threatens not just individuals but undermines the essence of free expression and civil discourse, which are central to our institution,” said Utah Valley University’s Astrid S. Tomines in a statement.
“The events have deeply unsettled us. Our commitment to collective values remains strong, even in these trying times.”
“Together, we will focus on hope for the future and support one another through this period.”
Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old local, has been charged with the shooting of Kirk on Friday morning. He allegedly fired the fatal shot from the Rosee Center Building at UVU, where Kirk was located in a pop-up tent.
Robinson faces seven charges, including a serious count of aggravated murder, with the potential for the death penalty under Utah law.
