Charlie Kirk vigil held at ASU's Desert Financial Arena in Tempe

Charlie Kirk: Thousands gather at ASU for vigil

A vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew thousands to Arizona State University's campus on Monday. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a college in Utah. FOX 10's Nicole Krasean has more from his supporters who attended the memorial.

TEMPE, Ariz. - Turning Point USA held a vigil for Charlie Kirk at Arizona State University on Sept. 15. 

What we know:

More than 10,000 people registered for the vigil held at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe to honor Kirk. The doors opened at 5 p.m. for the event, which ended just before 8 p.m.

ASU implemented their clear bag policy and had security at the event. "For safety reasons and the comfort of all participants, no signs, flags or other props are allowed in the arena." 

What they're saying:

Thousands of both ASU students and members of the public gathered to remember a man they considered an inspiration.

"My heart is broken, but it’s so full seeing that Charlie affected so many people," one supporter said.

Thousands listened to speeches and testimonies from a variety of speakers.

A pair of ASU students said their presence was a chance to show what Kirk meant to them.

"No matter your political beliefs, Charlie had an impact on everybody and I feel like it’s the nice thing and the best thing to do, to come out and support his family," one supporter said.

Another said, "I really just agreed with everything that he stood for, and if not everything, then most of it, and I feel like he gave me words of wisdom, so I just wanted to be there to honor that."

Other attendees said the vigil offered peace after his violent assassination.

"You have a great evil and then some great good in the sight of that evil and I believe that’s how God works, bringing an even greater good out of something terrible," a Kirk mourner said.

'The ending of his life was pretty tragic’

Another said, "I believed in maybe not everything he stood for, but the ending of his life was pretty tragic to me, and I’ve been suffering with it a little bit, so this is to just bring peace to myself and peace to the community and stand with everybody and just be united."

Speakers and those in the crowd said Kirk's mission lives on even after his death.

"It was incredibly horrible what happened. I felt so much grief. I feel like the whole generation is in mourning for Charlie because he did so much for us. He gave young conservatives and young Christians a platform and let us know we’re not alone and there’s others like us out there," a mourner said.

Another mourner said, "I’m just hoping to stand and show other people to speak your truth and not be afraid to be here. I know there’s a lot of people that are afraid to be here because of all the violence that’s going on, and so I’m hoping to kind of be that kind of picture for other people as well."

The backstory:

Across the nation, memorials and tributes have been held for the late conservative activist following the assassination on Sept. 10 at a college event in Utah. 

A 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, is accused of killing Kirk with a single gunshot while he was speaking at Utah Valley College. The accused killer was arrested on Sept. 11 after a 33-hour manhunt. 

As of Sept. 15, officials said Robinson is under "special watch" and is undergoing mental health evaluations while at a Utah County Sheriff's Department special housing unit.

Local perspective:

On Sept. 13, ASU came under fire after State Senator Jake Hoffman accused the university of making it "impossible" to hold a vigil for Kirk. 

"All reports that the Charlie Kirk vigil was not proceeding or that student groups were being charged are false," ASU released in a statement last week. 

The ASU event was organized by their Turning Point USA student chapter.