Western Pa. college campuses grapple with fear and security after Charlie Kirk’s killing

Seton Hill student Romilleigh Donovan disagreed with viewpoints of late conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah.

Still, Donovan, a sophomore studying criminal justice, was deeply troubled by Kirk’s death on Wednesday.

“I was appalled, but I was not surprised — if that makes sense,” said Donovan, of Greensburg. “That’s the reality of the world today.”

On Thursday, after the shooting death of Kirk — known for rallying young Republicans and hosting political debates — students across Western Pennsylvania campuses shared one belief: Nobody should die for expressing their views.

‘Can’t we just disagree?’: Seton Hill students react

Donovan opposed Kirk’s debate style and his views on topics such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. But she is concerned his assassination will lead to decreased political discussions among college students.

“I’m pretty outspoken, so it doesn’t put me off,” she said. “I do think it’ll put a lot of people off. I believe it’ll cause a lot of divide. But I think it’s more important to continue speaking out and continue speaking on your beliefs, because if you don’t stand for something, you’re going to fall for everything.”

Morgan Heffernan, a senior at Seton Hill, mourned the death of Kirk, an activist she has admired.

“No taking of a human life is worth any cause,” she said.

The news is particularly difficult for Heffernan to process as she grapples with the way some of her classmates have reacted to her conservative views — particularly while taking a diversity in the classroom course as part of her exercise science degree.

“I had no problem taking the class, but, as soon as we walked in, we were kind of told things that I didn’t agree with,” she said. “And we were encouraged to communicate. But as soon as I did, while my professor did a great job on allowing that, my peers just shut me down.”

Malia Faff received word of Kirk’s death through a text from her uncle, who went to high school with the political activist.

“I was just shocked, because I was thinking of his daughter,” said Faff, a Seton Hill sophomore from Bullskin Township’s Acme neighborhood. “He has two kids.”

“I really liked that he went toward college-age students,” said Faff, who met Kirk during a few of his events, “because we’re shaping the future. He wanted to help give us opinions and show us a way that we could help shape the future.”

Political violence has been a recurring theme in recent years. President Trump was shot at during a rally in Butler last year, and a Minnesota legislator was shot and killed in June.

Heffernan believes it is more important than ever to continue discussing politics and having cordial disagreements.

“We’re supposed to be welcoming. Can’t we just disagree and get along anyway?” Heffernan said. “I’m anxious, but I’m more scared of being quiet, because that goes against everything I believe in.”

Pitt students’ thoughts a year after Kirk’s visit

Kirk’s death comes almost a year after his visit to the University of Pittsburgh, when he spoke as part of his You’re Being Brainwashed Tour.

On Thursday, Pitt students gathered in the campus quad — where last year’s event was held and where some still grappled with his death.

Phoebe Trochimowicz and Hannah Larimore, both freshmen and registered Democrats, said that, although they disagreed with Kirk’s political views, they did not believe anyone should be killed for expressing their opinions.

“I kind of view it from just a humanitarian perspective,” said Trochimowicz, who is 18.

Larimore, 18, pointed out that violence at educational institutions is not new. She referenced a shooting at a high school in Denver, which also took place Wednesday.

“I mean, it’s ironic that (Kirk) was advocating against gun control and then proceeded to get shot,” Larimore said.

Jack Panza, 19, a sophomore psychology major, said Kirk’s death underscores the need for universities to ensure campus security during events.

Gianna DiPasquale, 18, a freshman at Pitt, said she found Kirk’s death to be terrifying. She saw the video of the shooting as well.

“When you see things like that, you really don’t feel safe,” she said.

DiPasquale said colleges should add metal detectors and other safety measures to protect both visiting speakers and students.

Tears at Carnegie Mellon University

Just up the road from Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University displayed two messages — “Rest in Peace Charlie Kirk” and “Say No to Political Violence” — on The Fence, which serves as a message board for students.

The tribute was painted by the CMU College Republicans on Thursday at midnight.

Anthony Cacciato, president of the College Republicans, told TribLive on Wednesday that he is concerned about Kirk’s death coming at a time when free speech on college campuses is already feeling limited.

A junior computer science student and registered independent, Eric Feng said he was distressed to see that the “punishment for speaking your beliefs is death,” and worried Kirk’s assassination could lead colleges to restrict or limit the spread of ideas and open dialogue.

“As a Christian, seeing the world’s reaction to someone just trying to spread the truth of the Gospels to people in an open forum, seeing their reaction to that by killing him is also incredibly saddening,” said Feng, 20, tearing up slightly.

‘The goal is to scare’: Duquesne students react

John Collins, president of the College Republicans at Duquesne University, believes the goal of the gunman was to silence people.

“I just think it’s an atrocious example of political violence,” he said.

Collins, a senior, said the attack has not discouraged him from speaking about his political beliefs.

“The only way (killing) succeeds is when people stop talking,” said Collins, 21. “People should still be able to converse.”

Penn State New Kensington on death in social media

Penn State New Kensington freshmen Lyrik Reed, Allyson Callihan and Maryn Rhoads, all 18, learned about Kirk’s killing from social media.

Rhoads said everything happened “so fast.” She heard the news of Kirk being shot and his subsequent death within an hour of each other.

“It’s definitely terrible,” Callihan said of the videos of the incident uploaded to social media.

Reed called morality into question, saying no matter what politics someone agrees with, Kirk was a husband and father.

“It puts an uneasy feeling in your stomach. Like, what has the world come to?” Reed said.

The women weren’t sure if much will change as a result of the incident.

“I would say it raised a lot of concern, as the gun violence is getting worse,” Rhoads said. “I think people are becoming more aware.”

While students doubted colleges would stop hosting events like Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” Rhoads said stronger security should become standard.

Reed said she wouldn’t be deterred from attending future campus events that interest her.

“I think it proves you always have to keep an eye out for yourself,” Reed said.

Callihan said she refuses to live in fear of attending events she wants to experience.

“It makes people more vigilant about their surroundings and make sure they’re keeping an eye out,” Callihan said. “I feel like if I wanted to go, I’d go because it can happen anywhere.”