The Charlie Kirk assassination: How its affecting central New York

OSWEGO, N.Y. – It’s been 3 weeks since the assassination of popular conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, but his death is still making waves.

Kirk’s activist group, Turning Point USA, has a presence on over 850 college campuses in the US. Including a chapter at SUNY Oswego.

Oswego’s chapter held a meeting the day after the assassination. 30 to 35 students came together, many in disbelief at those who chose to celebrate Kirk’s killing online.

Club president Xavier Engelin led the group in prayer and mourning for their fallen leader.

“It’s devastating, it really is,” Xavier said. “He’s a man that I’ve looked up to for many years, and all the people around me who were in anguish over this, that’s even more devastating.”

Xavier was also invited to a candlelight vigil in Rome, N.Y. to speak to the influence that Kirk had on his generation and the modern political landscape. 

Around 300 people were in attendance, and there were multiple speakers, such as a pastor, a former assemblyman and two readers who read comments from those whose lives were affected by Kirk.

The night concluded with a candlelight singing of Amazing Grace and prayers for Charlie’s wife and kids.

“It was so beautiful to watch, you look out into the crowd and see the candles being lit one by one, the rendition of Amazing Grace, that echoes in my head still,” Xavier said about the event.