Hundreds gathered outside the Lake County Historical Museum on Thursday night to honor the life of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, who was assassinated Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Charlie, whose influence spanned politics, faith and youth outreach, was killed while addressing students. Authorities have described the shooting as one of the most significant political assassinations in decades. In Lake County, elected officials, pastors and residents came together to grieve, reflect and pray.

“What a tremendous loss to the nation,” Carey Baker says. “Charlie was just getting started.”

Pastor Brooks Braswell reminded the crowd that Charlie’s mission continues.

“Evil came about trying to put out a fire, but all it did is fan a flame,” he says. “Evil will never win.”

County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini, who organized the vigil alongside former Senator and Property Appraiser Carey Baker, spoke of his personal friendship with Charlie.

“He was a real Christian,” Anthony says. “He was actually probably the most well-known evangelical Christian of our time. I don’t know if anyone brought more young people to Christ in America than Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a good person.”

Anthony urged those gathered to take inspiration from Charlie’s courage.

“Never back down and always speak for what you believe, no matter what,” he says. “Never be bullied by someone you know is wrong. At the end of the day, understand that civic debate is the basis of a republic and if we can’t debate, you can’t have a republic. That’s what Charlie did and I think it’s sad but poetic and meaningful that Charlie literally died doing the one thing that made him great and that made this country greater, which is to challenge people and their beliefs.”

Young voices were also part of the vigil. James Jacunski, a Tavares High School student and Boy Scout leader, said Charlie shaped how his generation thinks about leadership and free speech.

“Charlie Kirk was more than a public figure, he was for us a voice of reason,” he says. “He pushed us to think and to challenge what we believe. But tonight I stand with heartbreak because no idea, no philosophy and no set of beliefs is worth the life taken. As we mourn tonight, let us also commit, our voices will not be silenced.”

Matthew Robinson also shared his thoughts.

“I don’t think they realize it yet but murdering Charlie is going to be remembered as the day where the masses finally woke up,” he says. “They murdered him because he was effective. Now the effect is a widow with two orphaned children because the left couldn’t bear the thought of a man debating them and winning.”

The vigil closed with prayer from local pastors and the hymn Amazing Grace. Attendees were reminded of Charlie’s own words when asked how he wanted to be remembered. “Well, there’s only one thing I really wanna be remembered for, that’s my faith in Jesus Christ.”