Eyewitnesses from Utah Valley University have described scenes of mass panic.
Videos circulating on social media show Charlie Kirk speaking about gun violence moments then the shot rang out and killed him.
Porter LaFerber, a student at Utah Valley University was filming Kirk from about 50 feet away, he said:
“You don’t really realise what’s happened until it’s happened.
Charlie falls off his stool, everyone starts panicking.”
LaFerber added that he hid behind a cement terrace before running to the nearest building when no further shots were heard.
Another attendee, Danielle, who was only 15 feet from Kirk, told Reuters she prayed for safety as chaos erupted: “All I hear is screaming and I see people running… please God, please God, because I don’t want to die.”
Who is Charlie Kirk and How He Was Shot?
Conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on Wednesday during his American Comeback Tour stop at Utah Valley University.
According to authorities, Kirk was struck in the neck by a single bullet believed to have been fired from the roof of a nearby building.
More than 3,000 people were in attendance at the event.
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Officials and Journalists Describe the Scene
U.S. congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the event with his daughter, said on Fox News: “The shot came straight at him.
Everyone hit the deck and scattered.”
Adam Bartholomew, a journalist interviewing counter-protesters at the rally, recalled: “There was confusion and people started scrambling for the exits.
Several people are in tears.”
Phil Lyman, Utah state representative and associate of Kirk’s, said the experience was traumatic: “3,000 kids basically watched somebody shot right in front of them, it’s really rough.”
Security Concerns Under Scrutiny
Several witnesses raised concerns about the lack of screening at the venue.
Emma Pitts, a reporter with Deseret News who saw the shooting firsthand, said she was surprised no one scanned bags or equipment.
Bartholomew echoed the sentiment, saying “nobody stopped me or searched my bag.”
Utah Valley University stated it had provided six security officers in addition to Kirk’s private security team. The BBC has requested comment from the university on its security measures.
Campus on Lockdown as Suspect Remains at Large
Following the shooting of Charlie Kirk, students were placed on lockdown and unable to return to their apartments until early morning as the suspected shooter remained at large.
Student Brock Anderson described the atmosphere on campus as “unsettling.”
Investigation on the Crime
Law enforcement officials are investigating the shooting and searching for the suspect, believed to have fired from a roof 100–200 yards away.
The attack that killed Charlie Kirk has raised urgent questions about security at large public gatherings and the safety of political events on U.S. campuses.
Source: BBC
