Students at Utah Valley University resume their academic activities a week following the tragic on-campus murder of Charlie Kirk.
In the peaceful town of Orem, Utah, a sense of shock and sorrow has enveloped Utah Valley University (UVU) following a tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of student Charlie Kirk.
UVU junior Nyasha Paradzai, who was a few feet away from Kirk when the incident occurred, has been grappling with the horrific image ever since. Erik Nystul, a UVU faculty member, watched the unfolding tragedy from his office overlooking the courtyard where Kirk was killed. Tiana Lao, another UVU junior, and her friend were also present during the shooting.
The name of the suspect arrested and charged for Kirk's murder is Tyler Robinson. After a dayslong manhunt, Robinson was apprehended and formally charged with aggravated murder.
The shooting has left 19 people dead and at least 77 others injured, marking another grim addition to the growing list of school shootings in the US. This year alone, there have been 47 school shootings, with 24 occurring on college campuses.
In the wake of the tragedy, UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez urged faculty to show "exceptional care" towards students. Faculty discussions have centered around options to ease the burden for students impacted by the shooting, including delaying or canceling assignments, adjusting curriculum, offering online learning options, and more. The university has also been "relaxed" when it comes to those who need accommodations like extensions on assignments in light of the incident.
Lao, who was shaken by the incident, returned to campus on Friday to fulfill media interview requests but struggled with shaking hands and a racing heart. She, like many others, is worried that the same thing may happen again and that she won't be able to focus as well. Lao also believes that security could have been tighter on the day of Kirk's appearance.
As the university works to restore a sense of peace on campus, it may have to consider a backdrop of increasing political violence when hosting guest speakers in the future. Measures such as increased security personnel, metal detectors, and thorough background checks on speakers could be implemented to prevent such tragedies.
UVU is offering counseling and support services to those affected by the shooting, and recently hosted a "Vigil for Unity" to bring the community together in remembrance and healing. The university community continues to grieve, but also strives to find ways to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
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