Candlelight vigil in Warner Robins will honor conservative advocate Charlie Kirk

A candlelight vigil in Warner Robins is planned for Friday night to honor conservative advocate and president of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk, 31, who was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

The event at 7:30 p.m. at the Steak ‘n Shake at 2999 Watson Blvd. is hosted by War Town Young Republicans, a local chapter of the Georgia Young Republicans. The parent organization is the National Federation for Young Republicans.

Miranda Britt, president of War Town Young Republicans, said she wanted to do her part to organize an event for people to honor Kirk’s memory.

“Just because of what Charlie meant in general to a lot of us,” Britt said when asked why it was important to her personally to hold the candlelight vigil. “He definitely changed this younger generation.

“I think for a long time, people were scared to vocalize their views — whether it be politically or religiously, and then when we had leaders like Charlie come out and do it, people were no longer scared to vocalize their opinion, and free speech was definitely one of his No. 1 ideas,” she said.

Kirk is credited with rallying young people to the Republican party and in support of President Donald Trump. Turning Point USA has established chapters on college campuses across the country.

In addition to political activism, Kirk was also known for his Christian faith.

“It really hit close to home when we lost him and we lost that voice,” Britt continued. “So I don’t want people to be scared to come to this event.

“I don’t want people to be scared to continue to share their ideas and speak up for the truth, and I felt like this was the best way to honor him in a capacity that I could,” she said.

The candlelight vigil is among hundreds of similar events held across the country in honor of Kirk’s life and legacy, including one held at Mercer University on Sept. 15.

Police presence expected at Warner Robins event

The candlelight vigil in Warner Robins was also confirmed by a manager at Steak ‘n Shake and a spokeswoman for the city of Warner Robins, who emailed that War Town Young Republicans submitted an application for a permit to assemble and have gone through the process for approval as required by city ordinance.

Protesters have disrupted similar events elsewhere. Most — but not all — of the response to the War Town Young Republicans candlelight vigil announced on social media has been positive, Britt said. One negative post was brought to the attention of authorities, she said.

“I understand that people want to protest and that is their right,” Britt said. “I will even go over there and shake their hand because that is what Charlie did.

“Charlie went to the opposition and spoke to them, and in his honor, I don’t mind if people come and protest but I do want it to be non-violent.”

Britt noted that Warner Robins police will be on site for the event, which will include Britt speaking, possibly other speakers, the lighting of candles, song and prayer.

The Warner Robins Police Department “has committed resources to ensure all parties involved, and in the surrounding area, will be safe,” Warner Robins Police Lt. Patrick Allen said in an email.

Allen did not elaborate, noting that police “do not release operational details for the safety of our officers and assets in place for these events.”

Public memorial service for Kirk

The candlelight vigil comes just days before a public memorial service for Kirk set for Sunday morning at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, according to the Phoenix-based Turning Point USA website. President Trump is expected to speak at the memorial service.

Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, is charged on suspicion of aggravated murder and other felonies in Kirk’s death. Prosecutors are expected to seek the death penalty.

War Town Young Republicans, which reorganized about five years ago, currently has about 25 members ranging in age from 18 to 41 and 10 honorary members over the age of 41, according to Britt.

This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM.