Several North Idahoans and the state’s elected leaders were saddened and shocked at the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday. 

Pastor Paul Van Noy of Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d'Alene was shaken by Kirk’s death. The two had been friends for about five years and Kirk spoke at Candlelight. He described him as a kind, thoughtful and brilliant young man whose intent was to help people. 

“One of the greatest minds in America and maybe around the world,” Van Noy said in a phone interview with The Press. 

Van Noy said he believes Kirk’s death is going to inspire others to rise up and continue his efforts to deliver a conservative Christian message. 

“In effect, he will have multiplied,” Van Noy said. 

Pastor Tim Remington of The Altar Church in Coeur d'Alene had spoken to Kirk and spent time with him. He said his death was horrible and he questioned the direction of the nation. 

“This is an attack on Christianity and it's happening all over the place,” said Remington, who survived a shooting in 2016. “Churches, Christians, it’s like we have to watch our backs.” 

Kirk was founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization, and considered a strong voice for conservative Christians, speaking at college campuses across the nation and other venues. 

He was the keynote speaker at the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee's annual Lincoln Day dinner at The Coeur d'Alene Resort in 2019. 

"Universities are teaching hatred for America to our youth," Kirk told the crowd of nearly 500. "The greatest threat to our country is college and universities right now. No. 1 threat to our country, without a shadow of a doubt. They are programming hatred into the minds of our youth — to hate America, to hate free markets, to hate the idea of God, to hate the flag, to hate everything that we stand for."

Brent Regan, KCRCC chairman, said he was shocked when he heard Kirk had been shot at a speaking engagement in Utah.  

"We hope to find out exactly what happened," he said.

John Reese, professor of political science and criminal justice at North Idaho College, is also the adviser of NIC’s Turning Point USA chapter of about 30 to 50 students. 

He said he admired Kirk because in a day and age where words are taken out of context and magnified, Kirk tried to have cordial, balanced discussions on topics with those who disagreed with him.

He said that Kirk was shot and killed while talking to a crowd on a college campus was especially sad and speaks to the country’s political climate. 

He said Kirk was aware there were risks when he took on his role of promoting free speech, sometimes in dangerous forums on dangerous topics. 

“Much like Socrates, having to drink the hemlock,” he knew what the dangers might be and knew what he stood for, Reese said. 

Kootenai County Democrats also condemned the shooting and urged everyone to extend compassion, thoughts and prayers to Kirk’s family. 

“Without exception, no one should fear physical violence while exercising their constitutional right to political free speech," the group said in a prepared statement. “While we may disagree on policy, the Kootenai County Democrats stand firmly by our core belief: Violence has no place in modern political discourse." 

Elected leaders also expressed dismay at Kirk’s killing 

“Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho. “Horrific acts of political violence must come to an end. Please join me and Vicki in praying for Charlie’s family, loved ones, and the countless people impacted by this tragic loss.” 

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said Kirk was a leader in the conservative political movement with many promising years to come. 

“His assassination is a vile and reprehensible act of political violence,” Crapo said. "Charlie promoted open dialogue and invited conversation from people of all backgrounds — especially with those with whom he disagreed. This loss to the conservative movement is deep. 

“My heart, as well as many hundreds of thousands of others, breaks for his family, as he cannot be replaced as a husband and a father. I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Erika, and their two small children. May God hold them close.” 

Ralph Ginorio, local conservative and history teacher, said Kirk’s vocation was “to engage meaningfully in substantive discussions with students who have been indoctrinated within the woke collegiate bubble. 

"He did so with joy, verve, and a genuine sense of humor,” Ginorio wrote. 

“Like Daniel in the lion's den, Charlie Kirk ventured into these hostile environments to demonstrate what actual diversity looks like,” Ginorio wrote. “He discussed ideas productively rather than bullying anyone with alternative viewpoints into silence. He was murdered for initiating the kind of political discourse so essential to our ongoing freedom."

Van Noy said Kirk’s shooting is the result of a liberal culture that does not want to hear what it disagrees with.

“They are refusing to allow his voice to be heard,” he said.  

Remington said the violence must stop and the country must become a Christian nation again. 

“I am so sorry for Charlie Kirk and his family,” he said. “He was a brilliant man. He had a future people were afraid of. They weren't going to let him get there.” 

Remington said Kirk loved God. 

“You could tell. He would not waver from that,” Remington said. “He loved truth.” 

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