“We didn't believe that something like this could happen here.” The assassination at Charlie Kirk shook the state of Utah. “People are completely broken”
-I do not want to say that I knew something, but I did not have a good premonition-says Iva Barrett, who lives in the city of Orem in the state of Utah, about 15 minutes by car from the university, where last week a conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk were shot. Her husband works at the Utah Valley University, where the assassination took place, and her 18-year-old daughter is to start studying from January. The woman emphasizes that The school here is the center of all cultural and social life.
Campus, where over 40,000 are found students, he was closed after the shooting, and the road around him was blocked by the police with warning tapes. Students who fell in panic after this event could pick up their backpacks, telephones and other things they left on the spot, only on Friday afternoon. – This is a calm state university that no one has heard of so far. And now suddenly the whole world knows about him – says Czech, who has lived in the United States for 25 years and has American citizenship.
Her children initially intended to take part in the Kirk debate. They do not share his views into the world, but they decided that “it could be fun.” The hero of the meeting had millions of watching social media. Kirk, as a very controversial figure of the American political scene and a great supporter of President Donald Trump, He aroused strong emotions. The woman finally forbade the children to participate in the event because she was afraid that it was for this reason that some incident could happen.
Despite this, the assassination at the first Tournée stop Kirka after American universities surprised her. “We know that such things happen, but we never expected it with us,” he admits.
Emphasizes that Utah is on the margins of America's interest. Apart from a “strange” religion [znaczna część mieszkańców to członkowie Kościoła Mormonów] Most Americans do not associate this state in the center of the USA with nothing else. Most residents have conservative views here and vote for Republicans, so for Kirk it was to be the perfect place to start their route. Orem was known as the “family city of the USA” because people traditionally have a lot of children here. Now, however, it will be written differently in history.
Continued article under video material
The locals were surprised that before the event with Kirk's participation at the university, almost no inspections were carried out. There were no safety gates or backpacks were checked. Although the shooter eventually operated from the roof of a nearby house, so the said funds would not stop him anyway, the inhabitants have the feeling that the protection of the event has failed.
There was also a friend of Ivy Barrett with two children, a fan of Kirk. According to a woman, she returned with strong trauma and, like many other people, of over 3,000. Event participants, currently attend the support group. – Many therapists have now started offering their services for free. People are completely broken – says.
Barrett teaches at primary school. On the day of the assassination, parents came for children in tears. – Most of them studied at the university or work there now, their older children also go there … It really touched us all – he admits. According to a 44-year-old teacher, all residents know each other here, people are “kind to themselves and help each other.”
“Almost everyone here has a weapon”
The shooting at school, generally a fairly common element of American color, was simply unexpected here. This year there were 47 shootings in schools in the United States [dane z 10 września]. 24 of them took place at university campus, and 23 in primary and secondary schools. As a result of these incidents, 19 people were killed, and at least 77 were injured.
Police tape in front of Utah Valley University after the fatal shot of Charlie Kirk, Orem, September 13, 2025.Chet Strange / Getty Images North America / Getty Images Via AFP / AFP
Barrett admits at the same time that almost everyone here has a weapon. – It's very strange if you don't have it – he adds. The weapon can be worn here freely, or hidden, in public places, including at university campus. Currently, a debate has again started in the American media about whether the regulations regarding the possession of weapons in the country should not be tightened [w USA z powodu użycia broni palnej ginie około 50 tys. osób rocznie, z czego ponad połowa to samobójstwa].
Compared to other American states, in Utah he has one of the lowest murder indicators per capita. For locals, the issue of having weapons is exactly the opposite. – Everyone says that this shooting only proves that everyone should have a weapon to be able to protect themselves. It seems completely illogical to me, but here everyone really believes it – he adds.
“What if someone starts shooting at the crowd?”
After two days of searching, the FBI and the police indicated as a suspect 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. The man was detained on Friday in his home in the southwestern part of Utah. The suspect is held in prison in Orem, just a few blocks from Barrett's place of residence. A security corridor has been designated around the prison, which you cannot enter, and there are many more police patrols on the streets. However, the streets are empty because people are afraid to go outside And they prefer to spend time at home with families. Flags are hanging halfway through the mast throughout the city.
The runner passes the memorial place dedicated to Charlie Kirk at the Utah Valley University in Orem, September 13, 2025.Chet Strange / Getty Images North America / Getty Images Via AFP / AFP
Governor Utah Spencer Cox called citizens not to spend time on social media, but they were with their loved ones or “came out into fresh air”. Meanwhile, Donald Trump accuses the “radical left” against which he promises “firm action”. One of the local popular interpretations of the tragedy is based on the assumption that the suspect who grew up in a conservative family, radicalized and stopped going to church. “He's no longer a Mormon, he is no longer a republican.” And this made him a bomber – explains Barrett's assumptions.
Local police are trying to calm the situation, but The voltage is clearly felt. A traditional street festival with vegan food, live music and workshops took place in the nearby Salt Lake City on the weekend, but his fan, Barrett, preferred to stay at home – just like some of around 5,000. traditional participants. – What if someone starts shooting at the crowd? – he asks.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
