More than 400 people attended a prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk on Sept. 18 at the Lake County Courthouse.   

Flowers, posters and American flags filled the courthouse lawn in honor of Kirk as people shed tears and offered prayers. A variety of speakers, including Lake County Commissioners Bill Barron and Gale Decker, along with several community pastors shared their respect and admiration for Kirk.   

Kirk, a right-wing political activist, was assassinated Sept. 10 while on his first stop on his American Comeback Tour at the Utah Valley University. Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Kirk, faces seven charges filed in Utah Fourth District Court on Sept. 16, including aggravated murder. 

In Barron’s speech he explained that it doesn’t matter what a person’s beliefs are or what political party they belong to, but that cheering the murder of a “God-fearing family man” for peacefully and respectfully discussing his beliefs “is evil in its worst form.”   

“Charlie Kirk was a strong Christian, a patriot and a powerful tool in God's hands. Charlie's work will not die,” Barron said. “Charlie's work will continue, and it will continue in a powerful way.” 

In four days, Kathy Shore and her friend Nancy Cameron organized the event. Shore said it was made possible by many different people and through various churches. She explained that she had someone carrying around a sympathy card that was signed by 403 people and the person did not get everyone’s signature.  

While it was a peaceful gathering, Sheriff Don Bell posted seven officers around the event. Sheriff Bell said he didn’t anticipate having any issues but wanted to be prepared.  

People of all ages attended. Dawson Bear, who, like Kirk, is 31 years old and has two kids, came out to the vigil because he feels Kirk’s killing was wrong.  

“I just feel so bad for someone being killed for just talking to people, never hurt nobody, never did anything,” said Bear, a local Polson resident. “He doesn't make any decisions. He's just talking to people.”  

Audrey Russell, a 15-year-old who attended with her family, explained that the only reason she knows anything about politics is because of Kirk.  

“We need to remember him because he can continue to teach us,” she said. 

    Posters, flowers and signs surround the Lake County Courthouse lawn in honor of Charlie Kirk, eight days after his assassination. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 People cried, prayed and listened to speakers during the Charlie Kirk Prayer Vigil on Sept. 18. (Emily Messer/Leader)

 American flags lined the Charlie Kirk Prayer Vigil on the Lake County Court House lawn. (Emily Messer/Leader  Lake County Commissioners Bill Barron and Gale Decker share their respect for the late Charlie Kirk. (Emily Messer/Leader)