One year since Charlie Kirk: How Southeast Indiana responded

(VEVAY, Ind.) – Thursday marks the first anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. 

Kirk was a Christian and right-wing political activist who was killed while debating with students on the campus of Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.

His death sent shockwaves across America and also across Southeast Indiana.

Vigils were held in several communities such as Aurora and Vevay immediately after he was killed. 

Two days after his death, students at Switzerland County High School wore “Justice for Charlie” shirts.

The kids described it as a peaceful protest where they were standing up for their First Amendment rights. 

“We wore these shirts not only to stand our ground with our Faith and Beliefs, but to show anyone who has been making fun of the boy for the shirt he made that we don’t want violence, we want peace,” a student told The 812 last year. 

In Sunman, a woman organized a parade that coincided with Kirk’s memorial service that took place on Sunday, September 21. 

“I feel there is a lot of darkness in the world and we just need some light, unity, and hope. I just want to bring people together to believe in some good, believe in God and feel some healing and joy in the presence of darkness,” Laura Eckstein said last year. 

You can watch that view below.

What’s Happening Now:

23-year-old Tyler Robinson is accused of Charlie’s murder and has pleaded not guilty. 

Last week, a Utah judge ruled that there is enough evidence to pursue a jury trial with the death penalty eligible if Robinson is found guilty. 

A court hearing has been scheduled for October 23 to set a trial date.

https://youtu.be/T9vQPLRDkMc?si=23-j2d4Kp-xVQiHs