RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Students at North Carolina State University gathered Thursday night for a vigil called “A Night of Prayer” honoring two moments they say have forever changed America: the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.The event was held In a fourth-floor conference room at Talley Student Union. It filled to capacity within minutes. The doors were left open so more students could watch from the hallways.The vigil began with a moment of silence, followed by remarks from leaders of NC State’s Turning Point USA chapter. Counselors and even a therapy dog named Luke were on hand to help students process their grief. Chapter President Arionna Maniego said both 9/11 and Kirk’s assassination are watershed moments in American history.“9/11 was a turning point for America with having more security in airports and flight and everything. And this is going to be a turning point for America and for seeing how you’re like you’re not able to speak your own views anymore, too, in fear of being persecuted by people who don’t agree,” said ManiegoChapter President Arionna Maniego said both 9/11 and Kirk’s assassination are watershed moments in American history.“9/11 was a turning point for America with having more security in airports and flight and everything. And this is going to be a turning point for America and for seeing how you’re like you’re not able to speak your own views anymore, too, in fear of being persecuted by people who don’t agree,” said Maniego.NC State’s TPUSA chapter holds vigil for 9/11, Charlie KirkWake County NewsNC State Turning Point USA chapter holds vigil for Charlie Kirk, 9/11By: Shabnam DaneshPosted: Sep 11, 2025 / 11:54 PM EDTUpdated: Sep 11, 2025 / 11:54 PM EDTSHARERALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Students at North Carolina State University gathered Thursday night for a vigil called “A Night of Prayer” honoring two moments they say have forever changed America: the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.The event was held In a fourth-floor conference room at Talley Student Union. It filled to capacity within minutes. The doors were left open so more students could watch from the hallways.Person of interest in Charlie Kirk shooting still at large: FBIThe vigil began with a moment of silence, followed by remarks from leaders of NC State’s Turning Point USA chapter. Counselors and even a therapy dog named Luke were on hand to help students process their grief.‘Proud’ Benzema calls time on international career with FranceChapter President Arionna Maniego said both 9/11 and Kirk’s assassination are watershed moments in American history.“9/11 was a turning point for America with having more security in airports and flight and everything. And this is going to be a turning point for America and for seeing how you’re like you’re not able to speak your own views anymore, too, in fear of being persecuted by people who don’t agree,” said Maniego.‘Complete shock’: NC State students react after assassination of Charlie KirkManiego said Kirk was “just a normal guy” who fostered open communication on campus. She also warned that Kirk’s death could be a radicalizing event for some.“I know some might become more alt-right from this. I hope not. But I think many people are going to be changing their views, even those on the left, as they realize how many people are genuinely disturbed that someone would be happy that he died. He’s still a human being,” she said. ““Just because you don’t agree with the things he stood for doesn’t mean you should wish death on him or be happy It happened to him,” she said.Some students said Kirk’s death has only strengthened their resolve in their beliefs.“I think what the goal of the other side was to silence us, to scare us. But if anything, I think its going to make us louder and stand a little bit taller and be prouder of what we believe and to fight back with compassion and love, not with hate,” said student Lacey Warren.Many students at the vigil weren’t even born when 9/11 happened, but they say the lessons of that day, and of this week, should be a call for unity.“Whether you’re on the right or the left, I think it’s important to say that, you know, political violence is always a bad thing. Terrorism is always a bad thing. And that if we can unite over that, then going forward, that’s just a better thing than letting it divide us,” said student Michaela Futrell.“I would hope we would realize that we ought to, it sounds basic, but just love one another because we’re all Americans and ultimately we want the same thing, even if we don’t agree on how to get there. But people lose sight of that and end up shooting each other,” said student Lee Williams.Still, Futrell expressed concern that the country may not come together after Kirk’s death the way it did after 9/11.“I would like to say that we unite and say there is such a terrible event and that we shouldn’t let politics divide us like that and more. But unfortunately, that’s just probably not what’s going to happen and it’s really just going to divide us more,” she said.Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday while speaking at a college event in Utah. Some students attending the vigil said the shooting has heightened concerns about their own safety on campus.“The buildings are completely open. So I do have some safety concerns for NC State’s campus and what policies might be in place to keep us safe during this time, to keep somebody from just coming in and doing the same thing to us as to what happened to Charlie,” said student Krista Phelps