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One of the eyewitnesses recalled how Kirk’s “head snapped back and blood started pouring out of his neck” after he was shot at.
The crowd reacts after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, is shot at the Utah Valley University Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Image: The Deseret News via AP)
“Blood was gushing everywhere,” said an eyewitness, who was present at the Utah Valley University when conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead in the middle of his lecture. Eyewitnesses, recounting the scene, explained how panic and horror engulfed the entire premises when they all heard a gunshot. “A friend and I ran into a building and ran out and down the street just trying to get to safety,” Sara Tewell, a student of the University, who was sitting in the fourth row at the event, told ABC News.
Kirk died after being shot during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. He was speaking on campus as part of his national speaking series, “The American Comeback Tour,” when the shooting occurred. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries after being admitted.
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Emma Pitts, a local reporter, who was also an eyewitness, told The Guardian that Kirk was on was on the second question, which was regarding mass shootings, when he was shot at. “Before he could even answer, we heard a gunshot and we just saw Charlie Kirk’s neck turn to the side and it appeared that he had been shot in the neck. There was blood, immediately a lot of blood,” Pitts said.
Pitts said that immediately after the shot was fired, people dropped to the ground in an attempt to stay hidden. Within a minute, many began running from the scene, and the university was subsequently evacuated,” Pitts added.
Raydon Dechene, 51, who was seated in the front row of Charlie Kirk’s event at Utah Valley University, said the gunfire erupted suddenly. “He was mid-sentence when I heard a pop,” Dechene told People. “His head snapped back and blood began pouring from his neck.” Dechene, who was reportedly seated to the left of the platform where Kirk was speaking, said the gunfire seemed to come from behind her. “Everybody ducked, and then someone yelled, ‘Run!’” she recalled. “He still had blood running down his neck. I was certain it was a single, fatal shot.”
Henry Dels, 24, a local businessman, told ABC News he was standing about 25 feet from Kirk after asking him a question on religion. Less than a minute later, he said, the commentator was shot. “It happened right after I spoke to him,” Dels recalled. “Blood poured from his neck, running down his shoulder and chest. I thought instantly that he wouldn’t survive.”
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 11, 2025, 08:09 IST
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