SOMERS, N.Y. - As the nation continued to mourn the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the community gathered on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 14, in Reis Park in Somers for a candlelight vigil and prayer service.
On Sept. 10, Kirk was shot and killed while on stage during an event at Utah Valley University. The co-founder of Turning Point USA had been addressing students as part of his “Prove Me Wrong” debate series, which encouraged attendants to challenge his political viewpoints.
Kirk’s death saw the FBI launch a massive manhunt for the shooter. On Sept. 12, authorities announced the capture of the suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Community Gathers
Spearheaded by Somers resident Gina Arena, the evening drew hundreds of residents from Somers and the surrounding communities.
Also in attendance were Somers Supervisor Robert Scorrano, Town Councilmen Anthony Cirieco and William Faulkner, Assemblyman Matt Slater, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, and Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman, as well as Putnam County Legislative candidate Jake D’Angelo, Westchester County Executive candidate Christine Sculti and Westchester County Legislative candidate Kevin O’Keefe.
TJ McCormack read remarks on behalf of Congressman Mike Lawler, who was unable to attend, and Pastor Timothy Wagner from Croton Falls Community Church lead the crowd in the opening prayer.
Arena spoke of the town’s compassion during her own family’s darkest days. She recalled how neighbors carried her family through the loss of her young son, Jimmy, and said Kirk’s life and message had reignited her passion to live without hesitation.
“Life is short, and Charlie Kirk just reminded me to live life with no regrets, without judgment, and to maintain my faith,” Arena told the crowd. “In Charlie’s memory, we must continue to ask questions, pray, and let our voices be heard unapologetically.”
Congressman Lawler praised Kirk as “a champion of free speech” who welcomed dialogue with people of all viewpoints. He condemned the violence that claimed Kirk’s life, saying, “What Charlie stood for — freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of expression — cannot be extinguished by an assassin’s bullet.” Lawler called on Americans to reject rage and division, and to honor Kirk’s legacy through prayer and open conversation.
Supervisor Rob Scorrano urged the community not to linger in darkness but to embrace the values Kirk championed.
“Violence is the coward’s way,” Scorrano said. “It silences, it destroys, but it cannot and will not prevail - not if we choose another path. In this town we call home, we choose unity over division, peace over violence, respect over rage.”
Assemblyman Slater reminded attendees that Kirk’s assassination was part of a troubling pattern of political violence nationwide. Quoting Robert F. Kennedy after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Slater pressed for wisdom, compassion, and the ability to break bread even with those we disagree with.
“We can disagree deeply, but still respect one another’s humanity,” Slater said. “That is the kind of country I want my kids to grow up in.”
County Executive Byrne emphasized that the vigil was not government-driven but citizen-led, a fitting tribute to Kirk’s advocacy of First Amendment freedoms. He described Kirk as an inspiration who “challenged the status quo, encouraged honest debate, and inspired a generation of young people to stand up for what they believe in.”
Other town officials, including Councilmen William Faulkner and Anthony Cirieco, echoed those themes, comparing Kirk’s legacy to that of historic figures like Abraham Lincoln and King, and underscoring the importance of civic engagement and respectful debate.
Turning Point Speaks Out
Before the evening concluded, Arena introduced Millie McCormack, Lianna Martone and Lauren Castillo, who were instrumental in bringing a chapter of Turning Point to Somers High School.
After a round of tremendous applause, Millie McCormack delivered a powerful final message to the crowd.
“When people stop talking, bad things happen," she said. "Charlie Kirk was a young husband and dad, but to me and a lot of kids my age, he was also someone who made politics feel like it mattered. He encouraged young people, no matter what we believed or where we came from, to actually talk to each other, debate ideas, and listen instead of fight. His goal was simple: use words, not hate, to understand one another. An assassin’s bullet may have ended his life, but it won’t erase the energy he inspired in many of us. His passion lives on in the people he motivated, and I’m one of them. Charlie Kirk showed my generation that politics isn’t just arguing. It’s about listening and sharing ideas. He believed words could replace hate and violence. Even though his life was cut short, the passion he sparked in young people like me will never be silenced.”
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