NORTHBROOK, Ill. (WGN) — Several events were held in Illinois Sunday to honor the life of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated Wednesday at an event at Utah Valley University.
A large crowd gathered in Arlington Heights, Kirk’s hometown, to remember his impact. Attendees held American flags as there were remembrances and rally cries.
Similar scenes played out at numerous vigils and memorials held this weekend across Illinois.
“He didn’t deserve what he got but his movement will be stronger than it ever was, a million times stronger than it ever was,” Laura Bold said.
Bold and her daughter, Kylie McFadden, were amongst those in attendance at a memorial in Northbrook, explaining why they wanted to be there and why this shooting feels different to them.
“It is different in a way,” McFadden said. “I’ve been seeing people say this happens all the time, why are you making this one more important? What I say to that is we haven’t made it more important. He was more of a public figure. He changed minds, helped Trump get in office, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t paid attention to school shootings.”
Organizers Sean Miles and Matthew Riccardy both spoke to the crowd and explained why it was important to them to host the event.
“Respect needs to be shown in this community. He made a difference in civic debate, strengthening connections with Christ, strengthening the values of a true American family,” Riccardy said.
Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination being held in special unit, awaiting formal charges
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect, was arrested in Washington County, Utah, on aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; felony discharge of a firearm – causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony; and obstruction of justice – capital/first-degree felony conduct, a second-degree felony.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Sunday that Robinson was not cooperating with law enforcement, disliked Kirk, and may have been “radicalized” online.
“Friends have confirmed that there was kind of that deep, dark internet, the Reddit culture, and these other dark places of the internet where this person was going deep,” Cox said.
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On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Cox said the country is more divided than ever and the responsibility to bridge that divide is not on any one politician, but on the nation as a whole.
“I don’t think any one person, governor or president can change the trajectory of this, it’s about every single one of us,” he said.
Cox says investigators are still trying to pin down a motive for the attack on Kirk. The governor said more information may come out once Robinson appears in court Tuesday.
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