At a campus event where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday, attendees described moments of mass panic following the gunfire.
Kirk, 31, was struck in the neck by a bullet that law enforcement believes originated from a shooter on the roof of a nearby building. He was speaking to approximately 3,000 people during his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University.
Prior to the shooting, videos on social media show Kirk discussing gun violence, ironically minutes before he became a victim himself.
One eyewitness recounted, I was with my buddies having a good time just listening, and then we heard a loud bang and saw his body fall over. It was surreal. Porter LaFerber, who considers himself a fan of Kirk's, noted that he was filming the speech when the shot was fired and described the ensuing chaos as attendees scrambled for safety.
Danielle, another eyewitness, described feeling immediate fear as people cried out and fled. I was 15 feet away, and all I kept saying was, 'please, God, please, God,' as I feared for my safety, she said.
Jason Chaffetz, a former US congressman at the event, reported that everyone hit the deck as confusion erupted in the auditorium.
Adam Bartholomew, who witnessed the incident while interviewing Kirk's opponents, remarked on the palpable fear and tears surrounding him as people rushed to exit the venue. Videos captured the moments following the shooting, illustrating the frantic scene as attendees sought refuge.
In unfortunate detail, the shooting raised questions about security at the event, with several attendees surprised by the lack of screening. Phil Lyman, a former Utah state representative and associate of Kirk, expressed dissatisfaction with the security measures in place.
This tragic incident underscores a larger conversation around gun violence in America and the need for enhanced security in public events. As authorities continue their investigation, the community reflects on the unsettling reality of political violence.
