A Charlie Kirk vigil was held at Shasta College last week. Here’s what we know.
An estimated 2,000 people attended a vigil held last Thursday, September 18, for Charlie Kirk. The event was held on Shasta College’s campus by the evangelical nonprofit 1Hope4America, which is run by Bethel Church Pastor Tom Crandall.
Speakers at a 1Hope4America event held outside on the Shasta College campus last week memorialized the recently-murdered Charlie Kirk as a brother, a hero, a husband, a father, an evangelist, a historian and a political strategist.
The event was organized by Tom Crandall, a Bethel Church leader who also runs the nonprofit 1Hope4America under the larger umbrella of Crandall Ministries. Over the course of nearly two hours, almost 2,000 people, by Shasta Scout’s count, showed up to an open lawn at Shasta College to pray, worship and listen to brief messages from speakers including Crandall and Bethel’s second-in-command, Kris Vallotton.
“I don’t know if this generation’s ever seen a man like Charlie Kirk,” Crandall emphasized, “who was as brilliant as he was, steadfast, standing on the rock of Christ, unwavering in his conviction to follow the truth no matter where he was.”
Speaking before the assembled crowd of all ages, Crandall recalled exactly where he was standing when Kirk was killed on Sept. 10. He described his initial reaction as grief, and his secondary reaction as anger. Speaking to the crowd, he asked how many others had also felt anger over Kirk’s killing and as numerous hands shot up Crandall responded by tempering anger with the need for forgiveness.
“If you’re not angry you’re not human. But if you don’t forgive you’re not Christlike,” Crandall said.
The crowd responded with applause.
A Christian America
What every American needs is God, Crandall told the crowd, saying “Christianity will survive without America but America will not survive without Christianity.”
The idea that Christianity is fundamental to America’s governance is an idea that Kirk also espoused, claiming that the reason why America was experiencing what he referred to as a “constitutional crisis” in 2024 before Trump’s election was because America’s populace was no longer Christian.
Crandall’s messaging during the Shasta College event also doubled down on other religions, noting to rousing applause that “Buddha and Mohammed are dead,” and saying, “their address is dirt.”
Those words echoed some of Kirk’s antagonistic statements about non-Christian faiths, including that that “Islamism” is a direct threat to an “American way of life.” According to Pew Research, about 3.45 million Americans are Muslim.
Kirk argued in recent years that the modern separation of church and state was not the Founding Fathers’ intention, a viewpoint that he arrived at later in his life after being initially critical of the intertwining of religion and politics. Other historians have pointed to the writings of America’s founders to make the opposite case, that the government was always intended to be secular and representative of a religiously diverse population.
Kirk was murdered while speaking on a university campus in what appeared to be retaliation for his political beliefs. His own commitment to free speech at educational institutions was complicated. He hosted a number of public debates with people across the political spectrum but his nonprofit, Turning Point, also created a watchlist of professors on college campuses. That list sorted academics into categories like “terror supporter,” “Antifa,” and “LGBTQ.” In some cases, the list was known to lead to rape and death threats.
Following Kirk’s slaying, a since-deleted doxxing website was launched to identify and punish people for their disparaging remarks about Kirk’s legacy, an approach supported by Vice President JD Vance. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has faced bipartisan criticism for suggesting that the Department of Justice should crack down on “hate speech” in response to comments about Kirk’s murder. Course correcting, she later clarified that she meant the DOJ would only go after “hate speech” that veered into calls for violence.
Why Shasta College?
The Sept. 18 event was promoted by Bethel Church as a night of prayer and worship for churches across the region. It’s not clear why Crandall held the event at Shasta College rather than at Bethel’s spacious campus, where similarly large events have been held. Crandall did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent via Instagram and email and a Bethel Church spokesperson also did not respond to a question about the location of the event.
Shasta College spokesperson Peter Griggs said Crandall filled out a standard use of facilities form on Monday Sept. 15, a few days before the event, which was then submitted to the Vice President of Administrative Services Office.
“Per past practice,” Griggs wrote by email, “no fee was charged as this event was held outside which eliminated the need for any extra charges associated with custodial or utility crews.” Griggs said each request is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if a fee would be required and said that its routine for the college to approve the use of the facility by outside organizations.
Asked how much the college paid for security for the event, where a number of Shasta College security staffers and RPD officers were visible, Griggs did not respond, saying instead that the college maintains robust campus safety and coordinates with the Redding Police Department (RPD) as needed.
RPD responded to a request for comment on how many officers were at the event by saying there were three school resource officers assigned to the site that night and indicating that the others who showed up to the event may have chosen to do so as part of their patrol duties. Shasta Scout noted at least seven RPD officers on site.
Shasta College’s policy for speech on campus protects First Amendment rights, while reserving the right to regulate speech that “is defamatory, obscene according to current legal standards, or which so incites others as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on District property.”
Griggs said the college respects that some staff and students may have had issues with the thoughts expressed during the event and said he encourages them to “engage in civil constructive dialogue” about those thoughts, noting that the college does not limit freedom of speech on campus.
“Demonic forces” called out
Bethel Senior Associate Leader Valloton also spoke during last Thursday’s event, calling upon God to “release a righteous revolution rooted in forgiveness and humility,” before requesting the divinity to leave “no stone unturned, no place for the enemy to hide.”
Humans aren’t our enemies, Vallotton quickly clarified during his prayer, “demonic forces” are.
In previous public remarks, Vallotton has taught that these “demonic forces” are what influence youth to identify as gay and trans. He made no mention of the LGBTQ community during his statements last week at Shasta College but an unnamed female who spoke on stage did, praying that God would “grant mercy” to those in the LGBTQ community to “leave that culture and enter into the love of God.”
Kirk’s own well-documented history of speech included attacking the dignity of gay and trans Americans among other minorities, something that has remained a consistent throughline of his legacy even beyond his death.
He once told parishioners at a megachurch that trans people were a “throbbing middle finger to God,” and in the moments before he was shot, some of his last words were about the archetype of the trans mass shooter. Reporting and research has largely debunked a statistical link between trans and nonbinary people and mass violence. Instead data shows that the overwhelming majority of perpetrators of gun violence are cisgender men.
Kirk’s statements and viewpoints on trans and gay people were an expression of his freedom of speech but they also fanned the flames of misunderstanding towards those in the LGBTQ community who are already targeted by hate crimes.
Amid an immediate flurry of speculation after Kirk’s murder, media personalities close to President Trump jumped to blame trans people, including his son, who claimed that trans people are more dangerous than Al-Qaeda on the anniversary of 9/11.
The Wall Street Journal inaccurately reported that investigators had found references to “transgender ideology” inscribed on the bullet casings – misinformation the paper has since corrected, but not before it was picked up by other outlets. Days later, the fact that Tyler Robinson, Kirk’s alleged killer, had a transgender roommate has been central to the derisive comments made about trans people, including suggestions by Republican lawmakers that trans people should be institutionalized against their wills.
Bill Johnson, Bethel’s Senior Leader, spoke out on Kirk’s death in a Bethel social media post last week saying Kirk had “sanctified intelligence” to “stand for what is right and what is pure.”
“It’s a time for us to give honor where it’s due,” Johnson told Bethel’s vast social media audience. “We have to stand without compromise. But always in love.”
In a post on Substack shortly after Kirk’s killing, Mike Maeshiro, who came out as gay after leaving his leadership role at Bethel Church documented some of Kirk’s rhetoric about the LGBTQ+ community before emphasizing that his murder was unequivocally wrong.
“I won’t sanctify him in death,” Maeshiro said of Kirk, “but neither will I celebrate his killing.”
9.25.25 2:44 pm: We have updated this story to correct details about Tyler Robinson’s roommate.
Do you have information or a correction to share? Email us: editor@shastascout.org.
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Christian Nationalism and Christianity aren’t the same. Christian Nationalist is a political ideology, not a church. That’s what Kirk was. Some people think that’s what Bethel is too. The fake Christianity is clear when you ask yourself whether you could ever imagine Jesus saying the outrageously hurtful, ignorant & racist things Kirk said, like he’d never fly with a black pilot at the controls because they obviously couldn’t be qualified. WWJD? He’d be confident and bless the pilot and everyone on the plane. Spare the Charlie was a saint bs. No he wasn’t. He was a dropout trying to get rich by stoking hatred, and winning at that, sadly.
I’m shocked at the amount of hate directed at Christians by your website visitors.
Lol… Persecution complex much?
2000 people showed up at Shasta College for a Charlie Kirk vigil. Unbelievable! And it was full of common sense, peace, love and spirituality. Believable!
Who else walked the land and talked of common sense, peace, love, spirituality and was assassinated and crucified in his early 30s?
You’re really trying to compare Kirk to Jesus?
The same Jesus who said to love one another and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
The same Jesus that preached forgiveness?
Huh. Pretty sure that the message Kirk was spreading wasn’t anything close to that.
Jack. Did I say that? Now that you mention it. Charlie was pretty damn close.
You say a lot of things, Nick.
But ok, who were you referring to that was “crucified”? Please enlighten me.
The Charlie Kirk-Tyler Robinson story reflects our distraught and divided times. First, political violence is NEVER acceptable! Erika Kirk said she forgave her husband’s killer, and we all should. However, violence is a persistent part of the American experience, and as a nation, we don’t put enough effort into healing from our addiction to violence. Robenson, who seems deeply immersed in the addictive algorithm of video game violence, came from a Trump-supporting family that rejected LGBTQ+ people, but endorsed the gun cult, and most MAGA supporters do as well. In fact, Kirk himself stated, “I think it’s worth having a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” Mr. Kirk was also a rising star of Christian Nationalism, and I believe he could have eventually surpassed and replaced Trump as MAGA’s Clut Leader. Like most MAGA supporters, Trump and Kirk both denounced and disparaged Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (who was also assassinated) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in public places, provided for school, employment, and public facility integration, and made discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, color, or culture illegal. After all, we pledge allegiance to the United States of America—one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… Or do we? And while Erika Kirk said she forgave her husband’s killer, Trump said, “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.” Unfortunately, like Kirk himself, who said the “Democratic Party was ‘un-American,’ and they hate this country,” the murder of Kirk is being used by powerful Trumpian MAGA leaders as an excuse to persecute and strip constitutional rights from non-MAGA and non-Christian citizens, and even label citizens who disagree with them “terrorists.” We also see some of this blame-game playing out among local “Seven Mountain Mandaters.” Bethel leaders, who organized the event that Nivan excellently wrote about, and who, like many Bethel parishioners, are supporters and advocates of Trump. Quoting Kirck himself, “Finally, we have a president (Trump) who understands the seven mountains of cultural influence.” May God, or whatever spirit you believe in or don’t, save us all. And yes, as of today, you still have a constitutional right to just say no to religion. Will we tomorrow?
Don’t get stuck in the EU or England. Freedom of speech about religion and against government is outlawed.
Oh please.
I’ve been to the UK, and the EU, and what you say isn’t true in the places that I have visited.
Please provide support for your claim.
You might also ask why those regularly on campus weren’t notified.
Hi Joe. We did not include this response in the piece but we did ask Griggs that. He said the campus doesn’t publicize private events on campus which is why staff weren’t notified that this one would occur.
Thank you! There were definitely a lot more people being escorted to their cars that night…
As a former employee of Shasta College, I have always taken great pride in the institution’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in the dedication of its faculty and staff to championing not only minority students but the entire student body AS THEY ARE. For that reason, I was deeply troubled to learn that Shasta College chose to host a vigil for an individual whose message so sharply contradicts the values the College upholds and the principles upon which the California Community College system is built. The Bethel campus would have been much more appropriate.
All forms of violence, including political violence, are unacceptable and must not be tolerated.
To the Reporter- they certainly had restrooms open somewhere- so custodians would have work to do afterwards and supplies to restock. After the event, the grounds crew would have to pickup garbage left by these people on the grass, cement and parking lot.
The spokesman is lying to you. Nail them for what the college spent on this and do an update.
As was stated in the article, gatherings are allowed by permit from the college. You don’t think the college understands they, the college, makes themselves responsible for the restrooms, etc as a result of giving permission?
2000 attendees. Was it a mandatory field trip for Bethel students?
Paul: I will note that this is our crowd estimate. It was difficult to count given the event set up.
There is no place for political violence. What happened to Kirk is beyond the pale of a civilized society.
That said, the college campus was an inappropriate venue for this. Comments by Kirk and Bethel that have been anti-LGBTQ+ as well as anti-Muslim and Hindu as well as other faiths have no place on a facility that is supposed to be open and and welcoming to all of those views.
As an Evangelical Christian and a taxpayer, I don’t think this event should have been held on a California community college campus. The event should have been held at Bethel.
George: Agreed, no place for political violence. Ever. Also, it appears to me that Shasta College followed its own policies in approving this event. Those policies are important to ensuring accountability and fairness in campus use and to honoring free speech and expression on campuses. Thoughts?
I doubt they would give the same consideration to say, a communist gathering, or an Antifa meeting (lol), or a satanist rally. Freedom for me, but not for thee..
Steve: Well THAT sounds like a challenge to some of our community members.
The facility is supposed to be open and welcoming to all of those views, according to freedom of speech.
Annelise, you seem to have a very personal and negative opinion of Christians. Would you care to elaborate on what happened to you to change your faith?
Betty: That’s quite a takeaway from this piece! Why would you say that?
I wonder why you took pains to point out Bethel’s (and CK’s) views on LBGTQ people since it apparently wasn’t part of the tribute.
Janet: It was part of the vigil message. That’s what we pointed out.
Because the article was not fair and balanced. It was not objective. You couldn’t hear the tone?
Christians often create their own negativity by attempting to impose their beliefs on others, rather than simply practicing their faith privately. When they push their views into public spaces, politics, or personal choices that don’t belong to them, they inevitably spark resistance and resentment. People don’t usually mind what someone believes in their own life, but when that belief turns into judgment, restriction, or pressure on others, it breeds frustration and conflict. If Christians focused on living their values quietly and respectfully, instead of insisting everyone else follow the same path, much of the criticism they face would likely disappear.
Very well said Steve.
You are 100% correct.
Christians (and Muslims) are expected to invite others to believe. Ideally, we are not obnoxious.
Well said Steve. I agree and am offended by people proselytizing their particular form of spirituality on others.
My trip away from Christians happened when I was a teenager and my devout mother was told by her local Anderson church to stop coming since she was now divorced. The minister told her that she was too much temptation for the men of the church. Bye, Bye.
Don’t take it out on Christ, though.
If only Christians followed the teachings of Christ, instead of fixating on single verses from the old testament.
God Bless Charlie Kirk and his family. There is no place for political violence in our democracy.
Mary: Absolutely no place for political violence. Ever.