‘Blood was pouring from his neck’: Eyewitnesses recount attack on Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University

Pitts said the atmosphere had been positive and welcoming, with mostly students and only a handful of protesters, around 10–15, carrying Pride flags and signs. But the moment the gunman opened fire, Pitts saw blood pouring from the left side of Kirk’s neck, and he started to limp. The crowd, estimated at about 3000 people, panicked instantly. “I heard first a sound. It sounded like a firecracker. And then I just saw so much blood come out of the left side of Charlie’s neck, and then he went limp. And at that point, we all hit the ground,” she told NPR

Two individuals were briefly detained by authorities but later cleared and released. Kirk is survived by his wife, former Miss Arizona Erika Frantzve, and their two young children.

Andrew Piskadlo, 28, told the NYT how the Turning Point USA founder was fatally shot while answering a question about mass shootings by transgender individuals in the U.S. Piskadlo, who was about 80 feet away, said people dropped for cover in waves.

Brandon Russon, 24, near the front row, described the scene as “very graphic” and said he stayed crouched on the ground, fearing the gunman would fire more shots in that direction.

This was a regular campus event, with no serious security, no metal detectors or bag checks. A few police officers and Kirk’s personal bodyguards were present, but the setup was mostly open and public.

Raydon Dechene, another eyewitness at the front row, said Kirk was in the middle of completing his sentence when the shot rang out. She saw blood pouring from his neck and heard someone shout, “Run!” Dechene recalled that the sound seemed to come from behind her. The crowd instantly dispersed in panic. “He still had blood running down his neck. I thought for sure it was a one-and-done shot.”

Zachary Morris, attending with his 3-year-old daughter, described “mass panic” as he evacuated, taking cover in another building before leaving safely with his child.

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Video from social media captured Kirk being rushed off the stage by his security team, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. The event was part of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour”, organised by Turning Point USA, his conservative youth organisation. The millionaire had earlier shared photos and videos on social media moments before the shooting, excited to start the tour. 

Authorities, in a statement to NPR, confirmed that shots were fired at UVU. So far, two people have been taken into custody but released after being cleared. The shooter reportedly had a long rifle, and the gunfire came from a distance, not from inside the crowd.

Eyewitnesses described how the venue was an open courtyard with steps and balconies, which made it easy for someone to fire from above. The attack has also drawn comparisons to past political shootings, including Gabrielle Giffords’ 2011 shooting.

(With Inputs from NYT, NPR)