Two Antifa agitators arrested during Boston vigil for Charlie Kirk as tensions spill into city streets

Two Antifa agitators were arrested Thursday night as a candlelight vigil for conservative activist Charlie Kirk unfolded on Boston Common, police and witnesses said. The gathering drew dozens of attendees who lit candles to honor Kirk, who was shot and killed last week on a Utah college campus. Barriers were erected to separate counter-protesters from the vigil, and police were visible on the ground and atop the State House as the scene unfolded.

One man, identified as Joseph Antuan Castro Del Rio, 38, was arrested on disorderly conduct charges after using a microphone and amplification device to shout down vigil participants. He was repeatedly asked to leave and refused, according to a police report provided to Fox News Digital. Del Rio plugged in the amplification again, began shouting at attendees and insulted officers, calling them 'Nazis,' 'fascists' and 'White supremacists' before he was taken into custody.

An underage male was also arrested on suspicion of assault and battery. Police said he had a knife at the time of arrest and will also be charged with possession of a dangerous weapon. The juvenile suspect was seen shouting obscenities at the vigil crowd and was escorted out of the area. As he left, he allegedly punched a person wearing a MAGA hat. During the ensuing check, authorities reported finding a hunting knife on the juvenile.

A Florida woman was charged with a felony after allegedly assaulting a 73-year-old during the Charlie Kirk vigil, according to authorities cited by Fox News. The circumstances around the allegation were not detailed in the report. Counter-protesters also rallied near the gathering, at times clashing with attendees as officers monitored the scene.

President Donald Trump this week said he would designate the radical left-wing group Antifa as a terrorist organization, a claim that drew renewed attention to the vigil and the broader debate over left-wing extremism. The remarks came as top Democrats distance themselves from such branding while acknowledging rising political tensions across the country.

Kirk, who was killed on Sept. 10 on a Utah college campus, had become a focal point for conservative and right-leaning activists. The Boston vigil occurred amid a nationwide discourse on political violence and the tactics used by various activist groups. Boston officials emphasized that police were present to ensure safety and that the event remained peaceful as much as possible under the circumstances.

The episode underscores the broader climate surrounding US politics, in which protests, counter-protests and online rhetoric increasingly intersect with real-world gatherings. Investigations and updates from local law enforcement will continue to shape how authorities respond to demonstrations at high-profile political events.