On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was killed. The news of his shooting was reported across various news outlets and social media platforms, with some students even watching actual footage of the incident on Instagram. There is no doubt that Charlie Kirk’s shooting has raised significant questions about free speech and gun violence in America, but what is the response of Boulder High School students?
Many students were shocked to learn about the events that took place. “I didn’t believe it at first until I saw the video,” states Boden Foreman-Hansen, ‘26.
The reality is that in an age of social media, information spreads fast. Still, this was highlighted in a way that many didn’t expect. “I found out on social media right after it happened,” said JT Cunningham, ‘26, “then I looked it up on NBC.”
Lilah Baruch, ‘27, heard about the shooting during the school day. “I think I heard people talking about it during class, but I didn’t know who he was.” She remarks that she learned more from social media later.
Charlie Kirk was a right-wing activist and media personality. He is best known for his videos on TikTok and other social media platforms in which he traveled to colleges to debate students on hot-topic national issues in a segment called “Prove Me Wrong.”. He is also credited with leading a movement of young people towards more conservative values and beliefs. However, recognition of Kirk has grown exponentially in the weeks since his death.
Baruch states that prior to the shooting, she “did not know a lot about him,” and Jack Langerud, 26’, says that he was “previously unaware who Charlie Kirk was.”
Other Boulder students were very familiar with the influencer, with some stating that they frequently watched his videos. JT Cunningham knew a lot about Kirk and said, “I saw a lot of his stuff online.”
Kirk is a highly controversial figure who has been criticized in the past for his political views. Videos on his YouTube channel include “Gay man saved by Christ after 10+ years of homosexual lifestyle,” and “The Civil Right[s] Act has led to more crime.” Although many right-wing thinkers revered Kirk as a revolutionary thinker and activist for his opposition to LGBTQ rights, Abortion, and gun control, many have accused him of spreading bigotry and false information.
In recent months, Kirk drew controversy for claiming that abortion is worse than the holocaust, as well as his response to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement by saying, “Submit to your husband Taylor; you’re not in charge.”
Students at Boulder High certainly have varying views when it comes to Charlie Kirk. “I don’t agree with the majority of stuff he said previously to his death,” comments Langerud. Cunningham says, “I didn’t like him too much, but I respect him for stating his opinion and exercising his freedom of speech.”
Foreman-Hansen acknowledges that he thought “some of his opinions were off,” but says, “I agreed with a lot of his economic standpoints.” Foreman-Hansen continued, saying, “It’s upsetting to know that somebody was shot over exercising their freedom of speech in America.”
Most students, regardless of their political views, felt deeply disturbed by what occurred. Cunningham expresses his remorse for the situation, saying, “It shows a certain level of hate and violence in this country.”
Attention on gun violence was further exacerbated by a school shooting at Evergreen, a Colorado High School, on that same day. “It’s really bad,” states Baruch. “More gun violence is arising, especially with that whole week,” Baruch mentioned, referencing both Kirk’s death and the Evergreen shooting. In fact, a large number of Boulder High students conducted a walkout on September 17th to protest ongoing gun violence in America.
Regardless of the way they felt about Charlie Kirk or his politics before he was shot, Boulder High students agree that recent gun violence has proved to be dangerous to the lives and speech of Americans. Kirk’s death was the latest in a history of political assassinations in America, and has caused students to reflect on the danger of sharing one’s voice.
