In a man-on-the-street series, DHS students shared their reflections, discussing how the tragedy shapes their views on expression, safety, and the importance of open dialogue. While their perspectives vary in tone, their voices reflect a shared awareness of how events beyond our school impact the way DHS students think about community and conversation.
Charlie Kirk was one of the highest-profile conservatives, activists, and media personalities in the US. A trusted ally of President Donald Trump. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was an American right-wing activist, was fatally shot while speaking to an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University in Utah, United States. The outdoor event was on the first stop of the season for his American Comeback Tour, a speaking and debate series planned by Turning Point USA and the conservative organization he co-founded. While engaging with an audience member about mass shootings in the United States, Kirk was shot in the neck by a gunman positioned on the roof of a building approximately 142 yards away. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
ZACHERY GUERRA: All right, so today we’re here with Rowdy and Jacob.
ROWDY ESPARZA: I’ll be completely honest. I don’t think anybody deserves to get shot over political standings, and I just feel so bad for his two children and his wife. I think it was just so tragic that that happened to him. So at least he’s in heaven right now with our heavenly father.
ZACHERY GUERRA: How about you?
JACOB MCKEE: Just adding on to that, man. You really hit it on the nail. But really, the gun violence is just completely unnecessary over just political reasons and opinions. It just doesn’t need to happen. It’s a tragedy, man.
ZACHERY GUERRA: That’s very true. What do you think, Christian?
CHRISTIAN BEAVER: I think it was pretty sad in front of his wife and kids. You know, it’s messed up.
ZACHERY GUERRA: Yeah, that’s true. That’s true. What about you?
JACE ALEGRIA: I feel bad for his kids and everybody. When his kids look him up, that’s the first thing they’re going to see about his assassination and his death. And I don’t think that’s right. He was just speaking about his own opinion. And for him to speak his own opinion and to die for it, I don’t think that was right.
ZACHERY GUERRA: Yeah, that’s very true. Chris and Jay thought about it. Do you think it was justified that he was killed over his opinion?
CHRISTIAN GUTIERREZ: I don’t think anyone should get killed for having their own opinion on anything. That’s what I think about it. I don’t think it goes right at home.
ZACHERY GUERRA: What about you, Jay?
JACE MARTINEZ: You know, I don’t think he deserved to die. I don’t think it’s right that his wife and kids have to live with that. That’s not right. Especially over some opinions.
ZACHERY GUERRA: Let’s see what Alejandro, Christian, and Jace and Christian Beaver have to say about it. I don’t know. What did you think about it? Do you think it was deserved?
ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ: I don’t know. He did not deserve to die at all.
ZACHERY GUERRA: I agree with that, too.
ALEJANDRO RAMIREZ: I mean, he doesn’t deserve to die. You can make your own political decision.
ZACHERY GUERRA: Christian, what did you think about?
CHRISTIAN BEAVER: I thought he shouldn’t have gotten shot for his family, his kids, and just very sad.
CHRISTIAN ROSS: I don’t think anyone should be shot for their own opinion. It was pretty messed up.
ZACHERY GUERRA: Questions. I think it’s very sad that people just want to shoot somebody just cuz they want to support others that they don’t agree with.
