CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several thousand people gathered outside the state Capitol Thursday night to honor and remember conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, 31, was assassinated last week on the campus of Utah Valley University while hosting one of his “Prove Me Wrong” tables. He co-founded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative politics on high school, college, and university campuses, in 2012.

Several vigils have been held across the Mountain State, however, on the Capitol grounds was the largest. The event was called “A Call to Courage-Honoring the Life and Legacy of Charlie Kirk.”

Governor Patrick Morrisey, along with Senator Kevan Bartlett and Delegate Jonathan Pinson, arranged the event.

One speaker was Dr. Scott Pauley, an evangelist from the Beckley area. He said that Kirk was someone who was rooted into his faith, letting it guide him through life.

“He was a conservative there’s no doubt about that, but more than a conservative he was a Christian, and you know what’s interesting it didn’t matter what forum he was in or what the questions were, he always turned it to his faith in Christ and to be that’s where real hope comes from,” Pauley said.

Morrisey said that Kirk had been a friend since 2018, when he had come to the state to support Morrisey when he was running for the U.S. Senate.

He said while he was known for his faith, he also prioritized family.

“Charlie would always want to be known as a family man, with his wife Erika and his two young children who now sadly will grow up without their father,” Morrisey said.

Dr. John Smith, the pastor of Teays Valley Baptist Church, also spoke during the vigil.

Smith said he was shocked when he saw the news that Kirk had been killed, but he quickly began to wonder who would continue sharing Kirk’s message.

“My immediate reaction was of course shock, but then right after shock, I thought well then who’s going to step in his place,” he said. “My whole thinking is he had a movement that we need to keep that movement alive.”

Smith said he used his speech as a call to action.

“Just a call of action to present the glorious gospel of Christ, and to also to get involved in the public venue and take a stand of the issues today,” he said.

Pauley said Kirk’s assassination has brought people together, and those at the vigil were a reflection of that.

“When somebody like Charlie Kirk stands up and gives his life to take a stand for righteousness, I think it stirs everybody else,” he said. “And I really believe there are a lot of faithful Christians who have been far too silent, and this is a call for all of us to stand up and speak out in a kind way.”

MetroNews reporter Aaron Parker contributed to this story.