Hundreds across the Tampa Bay area have mourned controversial conservative media personality Charlie Kirk, joining vigils across the globe.

Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Palm Harbor

Conservative groups gathered at Klosterman Rd and U.S. 19 on Sept. 14.

Bradenton

Hundreds gathered in GT Bray Park on Sept. 16 for a vigil hosted by Young Republicans chapters for Sarasota-Bradenton, Tampa Bay and Pinellas. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins spoke along with Kevin Posobiec, brother of right-wing political activist Jack Posobiec.

Bradenton Tactical Units stand guard at a joint vigil by the Pinellas County Young Republicans, Hillsborough County Young Republicans and Sarasota County Young Republicans for Charlie Kirk. Credit: Dave Decker
Bradenton Tactical Units stand guard at a joint vigil by the Pinellas County Young Republicans, Hillsborough County Young Republicans and Sarasota County Young Republicans for Charlie Kirk. Credit: Dave Decker
Bradenton Tactical Units stand guard at a joint vigil by the Pinellas County Young Republicans, Hillsborough County Young Republicans and Sarasota County Young Republicans for Charlie Kirk.
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins speaks as a joint vigil by the Pinellas County Young Republicans, Hillsborough County Young Republicans and Sarasota County Young Republicans was held to a crowd of 2,000 people in Bradenton, Florida to mourn the death of slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
Kevin Pososbeic, brother of right-wing political activist Jack Posobiec speaks at a joint vigil by the Pinellas County Young Republicans, Hillsborough County Young Republicans and Sarasota County Young Republicans for Charlie Kirk.
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker

Dunedin

Kirk supporters also gathered along the Dunedin Causeway on Sept. 21, including a Jesus cosplayer.

Terry Turnblom positions himself on a cross at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Terry Turnblom positions himself on a cross at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Alan and Maggie Fischer of Clearwater pose for a portrait at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Kevin and Laura Blankenship pose for a portrait at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Kevin Blankenship poses for a portrait at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Chianne Shepherd poses for a portrait at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Scotty and Brandi Baskins each hold a sign at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Paul Allard Hodgkins III, who served eight months in prison for his participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection, speaks at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Debra Ahern, from the group called the ‘Dunedin Deplorables,’ leads a prayer at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Paul Allard Hodgkins III, who served eight months in prison for his participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection, holds a flag at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Jon, Joe and Jake Winowski each hold a sign at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Tori Kouroupas, Joan Bubar, Vula Paschopoulos, Karen Honaker and Lisa Komara each hold a sign at a Dunedin vigil for Charlie Kirk.
Tori Kouroupas, Joan Bubar, Vula Paschopoulos, Karen Honaker and Lisa Komara each hold a sign at a Dunedin vigil for Charlie Kirk. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker
Scotty Baskins holds a sign at a Charlie Kirk vigil in Dunedin. Credit: Dave Decker
Credit: Dave Decker

Related stories

An AI-generated rendering of a Charlie Kirk statue for New College of Florida in Sarasota. Credit: New College of Florida/X

New College of Florida announced plans last week to commission a bronze statue for its Sarasota campus.

Pinellas County teachers are among those being investigated by the state over social media comments made following Kirk’s assassination. Faculty and classroom teacher union leaders are calling it an attack on freedom of speech.

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This article appears in Sept. 25 – Oct. 1, 2025.

Dave Decker is a songwriter and photographer living in Tampa Bay.

Selene San Felice is managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Prior to joining CL in 2025, she started the Axios Tampa Bay newsletter and worked for her hometown paper, The Capital in Annapolis,...