PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University community members are reflecting on their interactions with conservative political activist Charlie Kirk following his death.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.
Jay Sani, president of the WSU College Republicans, met Kirk last spring when the political activist visited the WSU campus as part of his American Comeback Tour in April. The event drew large crowds of both supporters and protesters.
“I told my field director, anything could happen at this. You know, if you see something, do something. He told me nothing bad ever happens at a Charlie Kirk’s event, which I believed becauseour event went smooth. But today, obviously, it did not go very well,” Sani said.
The April campus event required extensive security coordination. Sani said Kirk’s security detail worked alongside several law enforcement agencies, including WSU and Pullman police, to ensure safety during the busy event.
Photos from the April gathering show the many people who came out in support of Kirk, as well as those who were there protesting the political activist. The WSU College Republicans helped organize the event, and violence was a concern for organizers.
WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell released a statement addressing Kirk’s death, acknowledging his visit to the campus.
Sani described Kirk as someone who was open to having discussions with people across the political spectrum during their meeting. Following the act of violence that led to Kirk’s death, Sani expressed hope that more people would embrace that approach to political dialogue.
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