BRICK – Across the country – some loved him and some loathed him – but those who came out to a vigil in Windward Beach Park were there to mourn and honor Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, 31, was a right-wing activist who was fatally shot before a crowd of about 3,000 people at an event hosted by his organization, Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University on September 10. He died shortly afterwards leaving behind a wife, his 3-year-old daughter and 1-year old son.
The suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, from Utah was apprehended after his father turned him in to authorities following a 33-hour nationwide manhunt. He is being held in a Utah jail on multiple charges without bail.
Kirk’s murder served to escalate the rift between the politically left and right. Robinson is not a Democrat and his political views are still being investigated. His parents were reported to be Republicans and he was familiar with the use of guns.
The motive behind Kirk’s assassination remains unclear and debate continues over Robinson’s political affiliations which have not been verified by authorities.
It was clear however that the vigil organized by township resident Joe Loughlin drew people who wanted to pay tribute to his memory. Speakers at the event described him as a family man committed to promoting Christian values, bringing conservative views to young people and engaging in discussions and debates with young and old.
Around 80 law enforcement agency representatives were present from Brick Township Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police who checked bags as those entered the park as a security precaution.
Among the large crowd was 19-year-old Angelina Delima of Toms River. “When this all happened I was at work and I saw the video on my feed and I was disgusted by it and it was horrifying to watch. I think he was a great person and no matter what your beliefs are or what side you are on; nobody should face death.”
“He was so young, he had a family and wife. It made me very upset and it made me think how horrible the world can really be. There needs to be change. Hopefully the younger generation can make a change,” she added. “That is my goal to make a change and be part of the change.”
Her friend Matthew Gass, also of Toms River remarked, “I was happy to see that there was a lot of people who came together for this. Perhaps from a tragedy some good may come out of it.”
Loughlin told The Brick Times he had organized the event within 24 hours and was hardly expecting the large turnout the event received. Among the speakers present were Assemblyman Paul Kanitra, R-Ocean, Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn, R-Monmouth, Assemblyman Gerry Schafenberger, R-Monmouth, Moms for Liberty activist Alexandra Bougher and Jarrett Branch, an organizer with Turning Point. The event also had an online audience.
“I have strong family ties here in Brick. I was looking for vigils for Charlie and saw there was only a small one up in north Jersey and I know how strong the shore can come out for support. I felt a responsibility in that moment to set up a vigil. I have an Instagram and YouTube channel, the Stoic Social Club. I am seven years sober from alcohol so I promote stoic philosophy to help people with mental health and addiction recovery and I’ve been listening to Charlie heavily for the past seven years, daily,” Loughlin said.
“I set this up and have been on social media for the past seven years. I printed out some fliers went to some local businesses, the first responder stations and started networking,” he added.
Speakers also included Jersey Coast Emergency News operator Chris Lyle who responded to Loughlin’s initial contact of planning the vigil, Associate Pastor Kevin Gollihue of Living Faith Bible Church, Brick, who opened the event with a prayer and Brick GOP Club 1st Vice President Marc Vazquez.
Lyle and the Republican officials who spoke brought up the desire for Republicans and conservatives to turn the state red this fall noting the upcoming gubernatorial race.
Loughlin explained how the township was able to support the vigil with such things as a sound system and law enforcement once it was clear that it was going to be a lot bigger than expected.
“The state police were here in the water with a marine unit. Originally, I expected 20 people here maybe but it turned out into something great,” Loughlin said.
“This should help with the community’s healing. This is what a community is supposed to do. Supporting each other. It is nice to support each other online but human beings coming together in person is really what counts,” Loughlin added.
Pastor Gollihue noted, “we have an ache in our hearts over the evil that took him. He stood for truth, freedom and that there was a future in Christian values.”
Vasquez described Kirk as a “Godly man, husband, father and patriot. His voice carried into our homes and hearts.”
Kanitra noted that “there is real evil in this world but evil is losing.”
“We have moderates, MAGA and America First here tonight,” said Branch, who was a close friend of Kirk. He described Kirk’s murder as someone “hating something because you don’t agree. You fight with knowledge.”
Music was also a big part of the ceremony with DJ C-Bunny also known as township resident Christina Surni whose selections provided a spiritual and patriotic atmosphere in the time before the presentation began. There was also a singer and bagpipe music closed the event. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office estimated the turnout total at approximately 2,000.
Loghlin said the turnout “shows the strength across the Jersey shore and the respect we have for Charlie Kirk who lived boldly. His mission is now in our hands. We love you, Charlie.”
