Charlie Kirk Rally at Amphitheater

Nearly 200 Gather in Westerville for Charlie Kirk Memorial Rally and Candlelight Vigil

Nearly 200 people gathered Tuesday evening at the Alum Creek North Amphitheater in Westerville for a memorial rally honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The event marked the second such gathering in the city, following a smaller rally held several weeks earlier on the green in front of City Hall that attracted about 25 people.

This time, the crowd was bigger, the staging was more organized, and the message was clearer.

Held on what would have been Kirk’s birthday, the evening began with a prayer led by Ryan Turkett of Faith Fellowship Church in Urbana. He stood beneath the amphitheater’s glowing arch, flanked by a large photo of Kirk and an American flag.

Security was prominent. Uniformed Westerville police officers and members of the Franklin County Sheriff’s bomb squad were stationed around the venue. Parking was tight. The grassy field next to the amphitheater, usually used for event parking, was closed off, forcing some to park farther out. Still, the crowd showed up undeterred.

Many in the crowd wore red or patriotic-themed clothing. Three attendees wore matching “FREEDOM” t-shirts sold by Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded. One man stood out in a dark green t-shirt featuring a distressed American flag and Charlie Kirk’s name in bold lettering. As the sun set, candles were passed out. Some people raised their flames high, while others held them close. The flickering light slowly spread through the crowd as darkness settled over the park.

The evening ended with a candlelight vigil. Dozens stood silently, shoulder to shoulder, candles flickering in tribute. Some prayed. Others embraced. A few quietly wiped away tears.

Kirk, 32, was best known as the founder and chief voice of Turning Point USA, a conservative student advocacy group launched in 2012. He was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Investigators say he was shot by a sniper positioned on a nearby rooftop about 130 meters away. The tragedy dominated national headlines, triggering widespread mourning among supporters and heated debate across the political spectrum.

For those gathered in Westerville, the emphasis was on remembering his message, his presence, and what he meant to many in the conservative movement.

The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.

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