Turning Point USA Event at Utah State University

Nearly three weeks after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA made its way back to Utah as part of the “This is Turning Point” campus tour. Fox News Digital attended the event at Utah State University and spoke with various attendees.

Participants began gathering as early as 3 PM for the 6:30 PM event. There was a noticeable increase in security measures compared to past gatherings, including officers stationed throughout the venue, snipers on rooftops, drone surveillance, K9 units, metal detectors, and bag checks, along with strict re-entry protocols.

Students Offer Prayers at Vigil for Charlie Kirk

Gavin, a student, expressed, “There’s a lot of fear right now due to the amount of violence, but I think a lot of us need to stand up.” Meanwhile, Jackson shared, “Just walking to the venue, I noticed the drone flying overhead. Everything felt almost surreal, especially reflecting on recent events.” Nick, another Utah student, anticipated meeting Kirk but now sees attending as a way to show support for his legacy.

Another student, Camie, stated, “I hope we can find a way to debate our differences. Honestly, I believe we need to make it clear that hatred and violence aren’t the answers.” Jacks, another attendee, noted, “I think there’s more danger right now.” Madison added, “It feels heavier, but I’m not hiding away. We need to speak out.”

Young Conservatives Rally for Safety and Solidarity

Gavin went on to say, “I draw a lot of inspiration from this event and want to encourage others to stand up for their beliefs and engage in civil discourse, as Charlie Kirk advocated.”

In a related note, an incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon involving “suspicious devices” at Utah State University, just before the event. Authorities determined the devices were non-explosive. Following a precautionary explosion by the bomb squad, the area was cleared and safe for events to continue as scheduled.