Year after Charlie Kirk's death, conservative students struggle to fill void he left

September 10, 2026

One year after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a sniper at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event, the organization he founded is struggling with declining momentum and internal divisions. While TPUSA initially experienced a surge in support with over 32,000 chapter inquiries in the days following Kirk's assassination, students report the group has lost its former influence, with infighting between moderate and right-wing members causing some chapters to disassociate entirely. The shooting has deepened political divisions on the Utah campus, creating a more hostile environment where some students feel intimidated about sharing their views while others have moved toward more extreme positions.

Who is affected

Jeb Jacobi and other UVU students who witnessed Kirk's murder
Turning Point USA organization and its campus chapters nationwide
TPUSA chapter members experiencing internal divisions
Arkansas chapter that changed its name to disassociate from TPUSA
UVU students on opposing sides of political debates (conservative and socialist club members)
Anthony Shinkle and other young conservative students who feel unable to share their views
Students protesting the campus memorial and anniversary event
Tyler Robinson, the accused shooter facing trial
Charlie Kirk's family (mentioned as a father of two)

What action is being taken

A trial is proceeding against Tyler Robinson for Kirk's murder
Some UVU students are protesting against a campus memorial to Kirk
Students are attempting to stop a memorial event scheduled for Thursday, the anniversary of Kirk's death

Why it matters

This matters because it demonstrates how political violence can have lasting ripple effects beyond the immediate tragedy, fundamentally altering the campus culture and political discourse at the affected institution. The fragmentation of TPUSA and the polarization at UVU illustrate how an assassination can simultaneously galvanize and destabilize a political movement, potentially pushing supporters toward more extreme positions or silencing them entirely. The ongoing divisions show how such events can deepen existing political rifts rather than fostering unity or constructive dialogue.

What's next

An anniversary memorial event is scheduled for Thursday, September 10th (one year after Kirk's death), though students are attempting to prevent it from occurring.

Read full article from source: BBC