University of Maryland students are voicing concern about the rise of political violence in the U.S. and polarization on social media platforms after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, a co-founder of the young conservatives nonprofit organization Turning Point USA and well-known ally of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. His death has sparked a wide range of responses from people on both sides of the political aisle, fueled ideological debates and created a maze of pointed fingers.

This university’s Turning Point USA chapter wrote in a statement last week that it was beyond devastated by Kirk’s death.

“Our hearts are with Charlie, his family, and everyone who was present,” the statement read. “We ask that you join us in prayer for those impacted.”

Dozens of people attended a vigil hosted by the student organization to honor Kirk at the Memorial Chapel last week.

This university’s College Republicans chapter also released a statement last week in response to Kirk’s assassination.

“This heinous act of political violence is an attack on the very foundation of free speech and open discourse that defines our democracy,” the statement read.

Other students at this university said while they condemn the shooting, it has not changed their opinions of Kirk and his conservative beliefs.

“From what I’ve read and heard online, he’s had some controversial points, but that doesn’t imply him losing his life,” said freshman accounting major Edwin Galeano.

Kirk was anti-abortion, critical of LGBTQ+ rights and a Christian who believed there was no true separation of church and state. He was also a staunch supporter of gun rights.

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Turning Point USA also maintains a professor watchlist. The nonprofit’s list aims to “expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom,” according to its website.

“I don’t think that anyone should be subjected to that kind of death,” Abi Limbird, a sophomore cinema and media studies and English major, said. “But I think that it is telling that he was someone who did not advocate for an end to gun violence.”

Kirk’s assassination comes at a time of heightened political tension and violence across the United States. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home was set on fire in April. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were assassinated in June, while another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife were shot the same day.

Trump has also faced two assassination attempts in the last two years, including a shooting at a July 13, 2024 campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was left injured and a crowd member was killed, the Associated Press reported.

Jen Golbeck, a professor in the information college, who studies AI and social media extremism, partly attributes this rise in political violence to people feeling helpless against present political and economic forces.

Golbeck said that kind of environment is what can lead to radicalization and inspire people to think about committing violence.

“That’s true for people across the political spectrum and out into apolitical spaces,” she said.

Several students said they feel concerned about the heightened violence nationwide.

On the same day Kirk was fatally shot, a 16-year-old student who authorities said was radicalized by an “extremist network” shot and wounded two others with a revolver at Evergreen High School outside Denver, the Associated Press reported.

Kirk’s death has itself unleashed passionate online discourse, especially because the incident was caught on video and it occurred during one of his trademark public speaking events. Kirk would often travel to college campuses to promote his conservative views and debate with students.

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His shooting has also sparked discussions on issues including First Amendment rights, gun control laws and the possible political motives of the man accused of assassinating Kirk.

The suspect’s motives and political views remain unclear, but multiple right-wing political leaders, including Vice President JD Vance have blamed Kirk’s death on “left-wing extremism.”

One reason for this, Golbeck said, may be because they are unfamiliar with the private online spaces where violent culture often emerges.

“There are these spaces where people get radicalized, that maybe even lead people to commit violent acts … and it’s not political,” she said. “But people who don’t have the context are going to struggle to understand what it means.”

Golbeck recommends that students take a break from social media or switch to more moderate, trusted spaces if they begin to feel overwhelmed by the internet’s extreme language and graphic content.

“It’s OK to take a break. You’re not failing to stay informed,” she said. “You don’t need to look at that.”