As right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk was speaking to a large crowd at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, a single, loud gunshot rang out, followed by Kirk falling to the ground from a chair he had been sitting in, according to video taken of the shooting and shared online.
Witnesses could be heard on the video shouting “Oh my God” and “run,” as people in the crowd began to flee from where Kirk was lying shot under a tent emblazoned with the words “American Comeback.””I was in total shock,” UVU student Luke Pitman, who witnessed the shooting, told ABC News’ Salt Lake City affiliate station KTVX. “We all heard a shooting, like a big bang. We thought it was confetti. Then, everyone started ducking down. And then, I look over at Charlie Kirk and I see blood coming from his neck.”
In an emotional interview with Fox News, Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz said he was watching Kirk speak at the event when the single shot rang out. Chaffetz, a Fox News host, said Kirk was shot about 30 minutes into his presentation while answering a question about transgender shooters and mass killings.Chaffetz said that before the shooting, people in the crowd had been chanting Kirk’s name.
“A lot of people were chanting his name. I was there. My daughter was there. My wife was there. I mean, Charlie Kirk is coming to town. We were excited. And people were there,” Chaffetz said. “And there were lots of them. You know, he came out, he was throwing hats. Riling up the crowd.”
Chaffetz added, “I can’t say that I saw blood. I can’t say that I saw him get hit, but I did see him fall immediately backwards to his left. And I can just hope and pray that somehow he survives that,” Chaffetz said.
She said that as Kirk was answering his second question, she heard a loud “pop.”
“The pop came and he [Kirk] touched his neck and he fell down to his side,” Herrey said.
Witness Jeremy King said he was standing close to Kirk when the shooting happened.
“Right after the shot, I looked at his [Kirk’s] face, and it was just lights out. His eyes were closed, and he fell back. He did not move,” King said.
