Longview police arrested a man Wednesday night for allegedly assaulting an attendee at a candlelight vigil for the slain right-wing media personality Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a Utah college earlier in the day.
Jon Erik Hughes Hegstad, 40, of Longview, was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree assault and disorderly conduct at 8:26 p.m.
Hegstad's bond was set at $1,500, and he was released just before 10 a.m. Thursday, jail records show.
A Jon Erik Hegstad of Longview also ran unsuccessfully for the 19th legislative district seat currently held by Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet. Hegstad, a self-described progressive Democrat, lost in the August 2022 primary with roughly 9% of the district votes.
On Thursday, Kirk's killer remained at large, and the FBI released photos of a suspect.
Longview Police Capt. Branden McNew reports Hegstad was standing on the bed of a pickup truck in the Longview City Hall parking lot, using a loudspeaker and shouting towards the participants of the Kirk vigil taking place at R.A. Long Memorial Park, near the gazebo.
Witnesses said Hegstad had been yelling obscenities and provocative statements, referring to attendees as “Nazis” and “white supremacists," according to McNew.
He was initially detained for disorderly conduct, but in a follow-up investigation, officers learned he allegedly had a verbal and physical altercation with an attendee.
Witnesses reported Hegstad chest-bumped an attendee as she tried to de-escalate the situation, McNew said.
A Chevrolet truck with a Pride flag was parked in the Longview City Hall parking lot during this time.
The Kirk vigil was spearheaded by Longview City Councilmember Erik Halvorson, who reports hundreds attended.
Other local elected officials included Kelso City Councilman Keenan Harvey, who posted images of the event on social media, and "We can't stand for political violence in this country."
Longview City Councilwoman Kalei LaFave also posted about her attendance, saying participants "remembered Charlie Kirk, and how he would want us to move on...GRIT!"
City council seats are nonpartisan. The elected officials discussed the vigil on their personal Facebook accounts, and Halverson and LaFave posted to a local Facebook group.
Washington State Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, also attended and posted about the loss on his official Facebook page.
"Terrorism comes in many forms, both domestic and internationally," his Facebook post read early Thursday. "Please begin to stand up peacefully to those who support violence. We can be better, and demand the media also reduce the division in our country. Groups like Antifa when violent and destructive should be held accountable. While our country mourns…resist peacefully against evil."
Wilson's office did not immediately provide comment to The Daily News Thursday.
Kirk co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA, which gives itself the title of "largest conservative movement." Kirk was also a key ally of President Donald Trump. Trump called Kirk "a truly great American patriot" on Truth Social on Wednesday and "ordered" all U.S. flags lowered to half mast through 6 p.m. Sunday.
Halvorson said a speaker at the Longview vigil was Pastor Ross Wiley, part of TurningPoint USA Faith, which states it aims to "unite the Church around primary doctrine and to eliminate wokeism from the American pulpit."
At the Utah event, the Associated Press reports Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization. Immediately before the shooting, Kirk was taking questions from an audience member about mass shootings and gun violence.
“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” the person asked. Kirk responded, “Too many.”
Cowlitz County Democrat Chairman Chris Carlson said the group also condemns violence.
"We believe in peaceful protest, civil discourse, and the democratic process as the pillars of a just and fair society," he wrote in an email. "We call on all citizens of Cowlitz County regardless of political affiliation — to stand united in rejecting violence and upholding the values that strengthen our democracy."
