The viral shooting of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk has reached the four corners of America, including college campuses in Louisiana. 

Kirk was shot while speaking at the first stop on his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. The graphic video of his assassination was widely circulated on social media before official news sources reported the shooting. 

Less than a week after Kirk’s death, Louisiana’s Gov. Jeff Landry attended a vigil at Louisiana State University. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was also in attendance. The vigil was hosted by LSU’s chapter of Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by Kirk. 

Kirk was scheduled to speak at LSU in late October. 

Kirk was a figurehead of the conservative movement for Generation Z. Just over a decade after it was founded in 2012, Turning Point USA had amassed more than 800 college chapters and millions of social media followers. With his platform, Kirk advocated for gun rights, anti-abortion laws and spread misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community, COVID-19 and immigration. 

As someone who teaches about LGBTQ+ politics, healthcare and the judicial system, political science professor Scott Nolan said Kirk has “been a part of my [his] life and a part of campus discussions and your [students’] lives as political science majors for a long time.”

Tulane University does not have an active chapter of Turning Point USA.

Tulane students shared photos on social media condemning political violence after Kirk’s death, but Tulane did not immediately release a statement. 

“College campuses host conversations about the most critical issues facing society. Civil discourse is a cornerstone of the academic mission and vital to the work of every university,” Tulane spokesperson Mike Strecker said. “At the same time, the safety and security of our community and visitors is our highest priority. We continually review security measures for all events to foster an environment that is safe, respectful, and protective of the rights of all.” 

Tulane has hosted notable political figures, including U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, commentator Anderson Cooper and controversial news anchor Brian Williams. 

In the wake of Kirk’s killing, LSU Interim President Matt Lee and Scott Ballard, chair of the LSU Board of Supervisors, said the school will establish a public lecture series to encourage civil discourse “in keeping with the spirit of Mr. Kirk’s work.” 

“Charlie represented the very best of America — someone who was willing to listen and learn. Someone who encouraged free thinking and vigorous debate,” Landry said in a post on X.“We will not cower in fear or let evil win. We will fight even harder to advance the principles that Charlie fought so hard for, the principles that Make America Great.” 

Political figures on both sides of the aisle have condemned the shooting. 

“Violence is never the answer — not in politics, not in life. We can disagree without dehumanizing, and we can debate without destruction,” Rep. Troy Carter, the U.S. House of Representatives member who represents New Orleans, said in a post on X. 

At the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers on Friday, the stadium was asked to take a moment of silence to honor the conservative activist and victims of gun violence. 

“It’s likely that other conservative influencers will soon move into Kirk’s virtual space and towards his brand,” Nolan said. “Folks like Ben Shapiro, Matt Walsh, Joe Rogan, and Nick Fuentes will increasingly compete for the attention, and dollars, of Kirk’s followers.”