BOZEMAN — A school shooting that left two critically injured, and the death of a well-known conservative political activist — all in one day. These tragedies have left the nation with heavy hearts and a sense of conflict. But in a time when we can feel separated, one man is fighting to bring people back together.
“It was kind of a gut punch, just like, this is terrible. It continues to happen. Nobody deserves to have their life taken,” Wyatt Rabel tells me with a heavy heart.
Wyatt was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley — a business owner, former swing dance teacher, and avid outdoorsman. Wyatt loves this community and hopes to be a part of it for the rest of his life. Even though, as he shared, “I’m not much of one to post or be political. I’ve kind of always stayed silent.”
Pictured: Wyatt Rabel (credit: MTN News)
But when Wyatt read the news Wednesday afternoon, something changed for him.
“I’ve felt many times in the past that I’m not doing as much as I could. And so, it just kind of dawned on me that now’s the time,” said Wyatt.
On Wednesday, September 10th, Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist, was speaking at Utah Valley University — one of many stops on his national tour. A crowd of hundreds gathered to listen to Kirk speak. At around 12:20 p.m., a shot was fired. Charlie Kirk was killed.
Moments later, one state away, a student of Evergreen High School in Colorado opened fire using a revolver. At least two students were left in critical condition. The suspected shooter later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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“To see somebody's life taken like that, to leave behind a wife and kids, to see the school shootings, to see that kind of destruction and death — that just breaks my heart,” said Wyatt.
Pictured: Charlie Kirk speaking at Utah Valley University before shooting
That is why Wyatt created a post and shared it with a Facebook group. His words read:
“Let's pray for our nation — the families of the victims of the school shootings, Charlie Kirk’s family, the families of everyone who has lost loved ones to tragedy lately. If you’re sad or down or feeling the weight of the world, let's gather and pray.”
Wyatt’s Facebook post has gotten mixed reactions and has been deleted a number of times, but Wyatt keeps posting. He’s reached out to family and community members in an effort to bring people together.
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“It’d be great if 10 people come. I’d be happy if one person comes.”
On Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Kirk Park, Wyatt invited anyone who is feeling heavy-hearted after recent tragedies to be there for their fellow community members.
“When we get together to pray tonight, it’s not political. It’s not about what I think or what you think. It’s, ‘Hey, this is suffering and it’s wrong.’ Let's bond over that,” said Wyatt.
I was able to attend the gathering held Thursday night. Around 20 individuals showed up, shared their thoughts and stories, and held hands as they joined in prayer.
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