A tribute honoring Charlie Kirk on the campus of UNC Wilmington was defaced on Tuesday. (Brendan Chafin/Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP/Addison Woolsey)
"Take a peek, who is that?" The woman with the sweatshirt said before walking away.
In another video, taken the next day, a student can be seen dumping paint onto the tribute, which was painted on a rock by Kirk’s supporters.
Reagan Faulkner, president of UNCW’s chapter of College Republicans, told Fox News Digital that a vigil was held on Monday night around the rock, which is often painted by students to promote various causes, with a courtesy understanding that it be untouched for 24 hours.
Faulkner said they expected 250 people to attend, and that 750 to 1,000 people ultimately showed up.
"It was beautiful," Faulkner said. "Absolutely honored Charlie in a wonderful way."
Students at UNC Wilmington painted over a rock that was honoring Charlie Kirk. (Instagram: @addiwuwu)
Faulkner, who also serves as secretary of UNCW’s Turning Point USA chapter, says that ultimately, out of concern for their safety and the situation escalating, the students supporting Kirk stopped defending the mural from being painted.
"We still think it’s worth standing up, but instead of painting over it, we’re choosing to respond differently," Faulkner said. "We’re bringing worship music, signs that say, ‘I Am Charlie Kirk,’ and we’re praying and singing. We want to live like Charlie — spread the gospel, respect free speech and still be present."
Faulkner added, "None of us retaliated. I believe God gave us courage and peace. We want conversation, not violence. We want to pick up the mic where Charlie left it, but the other side isn’t willing. They say they don’t want division or violence, but then actions like this happen. Our takeaway is—we’re open, but they won’t talk."
Faulkner told Fox News Digital she is not satisfied with how the university has handled the situation and that they "need to do more to protect us."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah, prior to the assassination. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune;Getty Images)
"I know that legally, the people that were caught in the crossfire, our members that were caught in a crossfire, do have the legal right to press charges and I don't think it was fair for UPD to tell them that they didn't," Faulkner said.
"And I emailed administration last Wednesday when Charlie passed that it’s been brought to my attention that a lot of our members don't feel safe on campus, especially after what happened. And I was told you're perfectly safe. Nobody's gonna come after you … and then this happened. And then the police told us, like, hey, we can't do anything. And also it's your fault for standing in front of the rock. I think that it's just, I think that the part blaming it on us is shameful."
Another student who spoke to Fox News Digital also expressed the sentiment that the school should have done more to prevent the situation.
"Many of the students here, including myself, are angry, but at the same time our hearts hurt for these lost souls," said Brendan Chafin, a student at UNCW and member of TPUSA and college Republicans.
"We just want the school to see challenges us Christian conservative students face and to take action against the students who defaced the memorial and assaulted conservative students. This needs to be done immediately to show that hate and violence against Christian conservatives does not belong on campus or in our society."
Conservatives have been holding vigils for Kirk across the country in recent days honoring the conservative activist's life and legacy through vigils on college campuses and in public spaces.
At the same time, conservative influencers on social media have been posting examples of students, employees, professors and politicians who have disparaged Kirk or suggested he deserved to be assassinated, which has resulted in dozens of firings.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/universitys-charlie-kirk-tribute-defaced-students-hurl-insults-his-supporters-lost-souls