Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who is widely credited with leading a youth movement to support President Trump and the MAGA movement, was shot and killed Wednesday at an event on a college campus in Utah. He was 31.

Kirk founded and led Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that became a significant part of Republicans’ political strategy in recent years as he traveled to college campuses across the country to debate students on polarizing issues. Videos of the encounters generated millions of views.

And yes, Kirk did make an appearance in Rhode Island.

In fact, when Kirk came to Brown University in 2019, he said it was his first appearance at an Ivy League university, according to an article in the Brown Daily Herald at the time.

The Herald report noted that Kirk’s visit was met with protesters, but that he had personal security along with campus police and Providence Police at the event. A Providence Journal report on the event said 200 people were in attendance. 

At the event, Kirk touched on many of the issues that made him a national figure, including his opposition to transgender athletes playing women’s sports.

Kirk didn’t return to Brown after the 2019 visit, but he played a significant role in raising awareness about Alex Shieh, a former student who faced disciplinary action from the university after sending DOGE-inspired emails to all faculty asking questions about their job responsibilities.  

In a post on X Wednesday, Shieh wrote: "When Brown tried to kick me out, Charlie used his platform to rally support. He was a good guy and didn't deserve this.”

Leaders on both sides of the aisle have decried the killing of Kirk, noting that political speech should not lead to violence. In a touch of class locally, the Young Republicans and Young Democrats issued a joint statement to” call for a renewed commitment to civility, compassion, and respect.”