Reader Eric Ruff, a computer programmer, shared with us a local perspective on the tragic shooting of the popular debater and apologist, and we thought we would pass it along. Many people are touched by national tragedies. The details about what happened at the local schools are particularly telling.

Thank you so much for your post on Charlie, one of the greatest debaters and apologists for Christ and everything good. This event was supposed to be a wonderful kickoff for a desperately needed message, but was stopped by a cold-blooded evil shooter in a way none of us ever imagined could have happened here in Utah County. This directly impacted my family and friends in the Orem neighborhood we recently moved from (we were just a couple hundred feet from the east edge of UVU campus, and now we’re 10 minutes away in Provo).

Orem is supposed to be one of the cleanest, safest, most conservative and peaceful towns on earth. Our kids had friends at the event on the university campus. My son’s brother-in-law is a police officer who was on scene. The local elementary school went on lock down (perhaps also the junior high, which was closer) due to the killer running, possibly in their direction, who was assumed to still be armed.

One of my friends told me how she, her kids, and all the other parents and school children were traumatized since they couldn’t take their kids home until the police determined it was safe and finally let them leave, one at a time later in the afternoon, making sure the family picking them up was legit. Police and FBI were knocking on doors until past midnight looking for people with video from doorbells or security cameras that might have captured pics of any vehicle or person not normally in the neighborhood. Sheriffs and others were patrolling all the streets close by.

We often never fully realize how one single evil action directly impacts so many people… and I can’t even imagine what Charlie’s wife, children, parents, in-laws, and other close family and friends are going through, and will go through… for the rest of their lives. My wife and I pray for all those who’ve been impacted negatively by the evil shooter… and I believe that, due to the wonderful work Charlie had done and was doing, the number of impacted people will soon be in the millions, if not there already.

We firmly believe that Charlie has been wonderfully received by our Lord and Savior on the other side. And, although this is something likely beyond our ability to detect scientifically, I believe Charlie will attend his own funeral… and at times, when the need is great, may also be able to provide special support and comfort to his family in loving, angelic ways; I pray that the good Lord will allow that to happen so he can provide some comfort for his family during their lowest moments, and let them know that he is doing well. We also hope and pray that this evil event will help motivate huge numbers of others to get active and fight against evil by joining and supporting good causes.

On behalf of the Walter Bradley Center. thanks, Eric. for bringing us, in a way, to the scene. Godspeed and prayers for healing.

You may also wish to read: R.I.P Charlie Kirk, who was killed while in dialogue with college students – Peter Biles He was a great man of faith who dared to speak his mind. Kirk openly invited dialogue and debate among people with different views and backgrounds. He always fought for others’ right to speak their minds.