On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, an influential political and religious activist known for visiting college campuses across the country and engaging students in lively debates, was assassinated; his sudden death sent shockwaves across the nation, including in Fort Worth’s communities and schools.
Kirk’s campus events and other appearances, coordinated through his nonprofit called Turning Point USA, reached millions of young Americans on social media platforms such as X, TikTok, and Instagram. He was dedicated to inspiring Millennial and Gen Z adults and teenagers to engage with politics and spiritual concepts, generally from a conservative point of view. His ubiquity made him well-known among Fort Worth Country Day students. News of his death broke during school hours. Once word began to spread, FWCD’s no-phone policy did not stand a chance. Distracted students flocked to social media and news outlets and reached out to family and friends with concern.
Make no mistake, Kirk and his unabashed belief in his conservative principles precipitated a certain degree of division; but the shock of the shooting, and the immediate sense of loss, largely united the Falcon community in grief and remembrance.
Kirk founded Turning Point USA at the age of 18, with no resources but his substantial resolve. He grew the nonprofit by sheer force of will, garnering financial support from those who saw promise in his approach to connecting with younger generations. His supporters valued his honesty, loyalty, faith, and willingness to listen.
According to Turning Point USA, there have been more than 120,000 chapter requests from high schools and colleges across the nation since Kirk’s death, and the number continues to grow. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow and newly-appointed CEO of Turning Point USA, gave an emotional address on September 21 at Kirk’s memorial service in Glendale, Arizona.
Addressing a massive crowd, she said, “Everything that Turning Point USA built through Charlie’s vision and hard work, we will make ten times greater through the power of his memory. Chapters will grow. Thousands of new ones will be created.”
The Turning Point USA Chapter at Texas Christian University hosted its own memorial service for Kirk on September 18. The Chapter President, Annie Cellar, was among those who spoke. She shared her personal connection to Kirk’s podcasts and emphasized the importance of faith, love, and resilience. She urged the audience to continue Kirk’s mission, grow spiritually, and maintain hope amidst grief.
“This has woken me up, and I hope it does the same for you, too,” Cellar said. “If this doesn’t wake you up, what will? We have an incredible responsibility as Americans to fight for our freedoms and values in this country, and what an honor it is that we get to be a part of carrying on Charlie’s legacy.”
Thousands also gathered at Trinity Park on Sunday, September 14 to honor Kirk’s legacy and his commitment to free speech. According to Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in an interview exclusive to this publication, the city supports all first amendment events and stepped in to support this gathering, ensuring the safety of all attendees.
“Sunday’s vigil was treated the same and all coordination was with the organizers,” Parker said. “As would be expected, we have a heightened level of security and vigilance in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and overall uptick in political violence we have seen across the country.”
In a demonstration of unity, the attendees of the Fort Worth Trinity Park vigil stood in mourning, together.
“Community members gathered peacefully to express their support for the Kirk family, their religious beliefs, and also their hopes and prayers to heal the country’s division. This is the Fort Worth I know and love,” Parker said. “The Principles of free speech, open debate, discussion of ideals, and commitment to our democracy should be something everyone in our city should be proud to support.”
Parker emphasized the importance of discourse that unites and not divides.
“There is considerable division in Fort Worth as there is across the country, but now at our core, our city can solve tough problems and be committed to making our city even better,” Parker said.
Fort Worth’s response—balancing grief with action—reflects broader Texas values. Governor Greg Abbott released a statement expressing as much following Kirk’s passing.
“Our prayers are with Charlie’s family and his loved ones… Texas stands with them in mourning and in honoring Charlie’s enduring legacy,” Gov. Abbott said.
In view of this tragic event, Cellar summed up Kirk’s legacy when she said, “The small actions we take to make an impact on our local community are significant… Respond to criticism with love, negativity with joy, and opposition with gratitude.”
