UTAH COUNTY, UTAH — Authorities are searching for the gunman after Mr. Kirk was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday in what officials are calling an assassination.
Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was addressing an audience of more than 3,000 people on his “American Comeback Tour” when he was fatally struck in the neck by a single bullet. The shot, police believe, came from a rooftop 100 to 200 yards away from the event venue.
The shooting prompted widespread panic inside the packed auditorium, with attendees diving for cover and rushing for exits. Eyewitnesses described the moment as chaotic and traumatic.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Shooting
Videos shared on social media captured the scene moments after the gunfire erupted. One student, Porter LaFerber, said he was filming Kirk when the shot was fired.
“Charlie falls off his stool, everyone starts panicking,” LaFerber recalled. “You don’t really realize what’s happened until it’s happened.”
Another witness, Danielle, who was sitting about 15 feet from Kirk, described the horror:
“All I hear is screaming and I see people running. I was praying, saying, ‘Please, God, please, God,’ because I didn’t want to die.”
Former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the event with his daughter, said:
“The shot came straight at him. Everyone hit the deck and scattered.”
Investigation and Security Concerns
Law enforcement initially detained two individuals but released them after questioning. No suspects remain in custody, according to FBI Director Kash Patel, who confirmed that the multi-agency investigation is ongoing.
The shooting has also raised questions about event security. Several attendees told reporters they were surprised at the lack of screening measures. Despite Kirk’s private security detail and six university security officers present, no bag checks or scanning were conducted before the event.
Political Reactions
Utah Governor Spencer Cox condemned the attack, describing it as an “assassination,” while Donald Trump issued a statement calling for swift justice and urging authorities to find the shooter.
Phil Lyman, a former Utah state representative who shared the stage with Kirk before the incident, said the trauma of the event would not be easily forgotten:
“Three thousand kids basically watched somebody shot right in front of them. It’s really rough.”
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Source: BBC
Written by: Daniel Olafamoye, Greensboro NC News.
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