EXCLUSIVE: Leftist student arrested for saying he would ‘Kirk’ GOP group at University of Utah

Dean Stewart, 21, of Taylorsville, Utah, was arrested by University of Utah police on Monday after he made explicit threats to kill those in the group, including students, who were hosting a public debate forum on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City, Utah.

https://twitter.com/rileybeesley/status/2011148890775380423

Video showed Stewart walk past the "ReAwaken USA" group, saying "You should die!" He also said he would "Kirk" the group, a reference to the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 at the Utah Valley University campus. ReAwaken USA was debating the topic "The Left is More Violent than the Right." Riley Beesley, the Vice-Chairman of the Utah Federation of College Republicans and University of Utah student witnessed the incident, told The Post Millennial that Stewart said they were "fascist nazis" as he made the threats.

As Stewart walked away, he made a motion with his arms to hold and fire a rifle multiple times at the group debating on campus. After making the motion, University of Utah police, who were nearby, placed him under arrest.

When law enforcement approached Stewart, they asked Stewart's identification, a request with which he did not initially comply. He asked why the police wanted his identification, to which the officer said that he was pointing at people as if he had a gun.

Stewart said, "I don't have a gun on me."

"It doesn't matter," replied the officer. "It's the threat. You're threatening."

Stewart insisted, "I'm not threatening him."

After arguing with the officer, Stewart gave the cop his identification, and then said, "I'd like to invoke my Fifth Amendment right to—" but was cut off by the officer.

"You don't need to, we witnessed it," the officer said. "So you're going to be charged. You're being charged for threats, disorderly conduct, and disobeying a lawful order."

Beesley, who was present at the debate event, told The Post Millennial, "We observe little to no sanctity or regard for the value of life among young Democrats on college campuses here in Utah. Being on a campus just 45 minutes up the road from the site where Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, we have witnessed, in just a few short months, individuals on the left making motions and threats strikingly similar to those that ended Charlie Kirk's life. The individual involved here differs from Tyler Robinson only in that he did not pull the trigger; though in the moment, it seriously seems that had he possessed a rifle, he would have been eager to do so."

"He shouted phrases such as 'Fascist Nazis,' and soon after declared, 'you should die,' followed by 'I am going to Kirk you,'" Beesley added. "Our response was straightforward: we invited him to come to the microphone. He refused and stormed off, continuing to disrupt the event by shouting aggressively. As he walked away, he positioned himself directly in front of several campus police officers, where he gestured with his arms in a manner mimicking aiming a rifle at us, thrusting them enthusiastically while shouting 'you should die' and calling us 'nazi pigs.'"

James Owen, the president and CEO of ReAwaken USA, told The Post Millennial that he was not surprised by the threats. "I felt extremely sad that he felt the need to do that, but at the same time, I wasn’t surprised especially with how the left typically is. When you don’t know God, Bibically, you are susceptible to the inspiration of evil spirits, we are seeing people around the country, especially in Minneapolis where people are calling for the killing of Kristi Noem, and are sounding a call to kill ICE agents."

Another at the event, Aden Nicholas, said, "One of the topics we debated was titled 'the left is more violent than the right'. And then some leftist comes up and calls us Nazis, says he hopes we get shot in the neck and then points a finger gun while walking away."

Stewart has previously been involved in left-wing political activism. On his LinkedIn profile, Stewart displays a rainbow flag as well as a Black Lives Matter fist. He lists "any pronouns" in his bio. He was a student at Salt Lake City Community College and previously served as the college's "Student Association Vice President of Equality and Representation." It appears he has now transferred to the University of Utah on his LinkedIn page.

Dean Stewart LinkedIn profile

Stewart's arrest record indicates that he has been charged with threat of violence, interfering with a peace officer, as well as disorderly conduct. His bail was set at $1,000.