Victor Ortega RIO GRANDE VALLEY– Turning Point USA at UTRGV chapter President Alexis Uscanga shared with KVAQ-TV that group members were surprised by the sudden news of TPUSA’s CEO Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kirk was shot last week during one of his live debates at Utah Valley University.
Two hours after UVU verified Kirk was shot, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to confirm his death.
Uscanga said the news personally made him angry.
“I know that a lot of our members, even though they’re not very active within the campus community by promoting TPUSA, they’re still members, they were also incredibly shocked to see what transpired,” Uscanga shared. “There’s a lot of people that don’t understand that political discussion should be civil.”
Uscanga said he personally received a phone call by TPUSA confirming the news, followed by an email issued to every university chapter in the country.
Dear Alexis,
It is with a heavy heart that we confirm that Charles James Kirk has been murdered by a gunshot that took place during Turning Point USA’s “The American Comeback Tour” campus event at Utah Valley University earlier today.
May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior, who suffered and died for him.
We ask that everyone keep Charlie’s family and loved ones in their prayers.
Sincerely,
TPUSA Family
With the events taking place within grounds of a university, criminal justice freshman Johanna Reyes said she fears a similar event may take place again.
“it’s kind of surprising because you don’t see that much, like, around campuses like that. And it’s kind of scary, like, knowing that that kind of thing happened at a university or even a college,” Reyes said.
However, Reyes expressed that she does feel safe at UTRGV.
“Honestly, I feel like UTRGV has more of a secure place, like they have an app to make sure that you feel safe around here, especially for women or even guys,” Reyes said.
Uscanga said the group will be taking a short break before coming back in “full force.”
