Turning Point USA branch at UI holds memorial for Charlie Kirk 

A Moscow-based branch of Turning Point USA, an organization created by the recently killed Charlie Kirk, met at the University of Idaho Library Plaza Friday to mourn. Kirk was shot Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University during the first stop of the “American Comeback Tour.” 

The group gathered at 12 p.m. to walk into the ISUB while singing the National Anthem. Toby Sumpter, senior pastor of King’s Cross Church and pro tempore elder of Christ Church, gave a speech on the shooting.  

“Right after the obvious grief and sorrow, my next thought has been to think that the Murderous Left has just shot itself,” Sumpter said. His speech is available on his blog, “Having Two Legs,” published on Sept. 11, 2025. 

Sumpter responded to online reactions celebrating or mocking Kirk’s death and spoke about the unification and bolstering of Christians which would follow this “unspeakable evil.” 

Suspect Tyler Robinson was taken into custody late Thursday night, with identifying information released after Sumpter’s blog post was published. According to CBS, state records show Robinson registered to vote as unaffiliated.  

The Argonaut spoke to Samantha Fisher, a new member of TPUSA-UI, after the sermon.  

“When talking stops, violence starts, and we are doing everything in our power to make sure violence doesn’t start,” Fisher said about TPUSA-UI’s objectives on campus. 

TPUSA-UI formed earlier this year with approximately 25-30 members present at the memorial. Engage UIdaho, a UI student club and event portal, contains a brief mission statement from the group. 

“Turning Point USA UI is dedicated to building on TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk’s legacy by being an active student presence on the University of Idaho campus that celebrates, and fights for, conservative values.” 

The website previously stated that TPUSA-UI would hold four events every semester.  

Josie Adjanohoun can be reached at [email protected].