Wed Sep 17 23:30:00 UTC 2025: ## UVU Students Return to Class After Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk

**OREM, UT -** Utah Valley University (UVU) students are returning to classes today, Wednesday, after a somber week marked by the on-campus shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The incident, which thrust the normally quiet university into the national spotlight, has left students grappling with trauma and the university community working to heal.

The shooting occurred during an event on campus where Kirk was scheduled to speak. Nyasha Paradzai, a UVU junior who was in line to debate Kirk, witnessed the horrific event unfold just feet away. “I was literally a few feet away from him… I watched that unfold,” Paradzai told CNN. “To have it fired at someone right in front of you and have them bleed out in front of you was horrific.”

Another student, Tiana Lao, who was also present at the event, described the lasting impact. “Both me and my friend can still hear the gunshot clearly in our minds. We can’t get it out of our heads. It’s something that we can’t forget,” Lao said. Graphic videos of the shooting quickly circulated online, compounding the trauma for those who witnessed the event.

Following a days-long manhunt, a suspect has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Now, UVU is focused on supporting its approximately 45,000 students, offering counseling and other resources to help them cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.

“I don’t think it’s going to be something that we are going to forget overnight,” Paradzai said. “It’s something that we’re going to have to grapple with for the next couple of weeks, months, maybe for the next couple of years.”

University President Astrid S. Tuminez, in a letter to the campus community, pledged to restore a safe and supportive environment. A “Vigil for Unity” is planned for Friday. Faculty members have also been instructed to provide “exceptional care” to students, with options for assignment extensions and adjusted curriculum being offered.

The shooting has also sparked discussions about security measures at future campus events. “We’ve never had to check for snipers before,” noted faculty member Erik Nystul, reflecting on the changing landscape of political events.

While the UVU community mourns and begins the healing process, students like Lao are determined to return to normalcy. “I really do want to get back to how it was before,” she said. However, the memory of the shooting and its impact on the campus community is likely to linger for a long time to come.

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