"His Eyes Kind Of Rolled Back": Eyewitnesses Recount Moment Charlie Kirk Was Shot

Conservative MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday at Utah Valley University, where he was speaking to a capacity crowd. A single bullet caused panic in the crowd, in what authorities described as a rooftop "political assassination."

Spectator footage from the outdoor event at the college campus in Orem showed Kirk speaking to the crowd while sitting in a tent-like booth, when a shot was heard. Shot in the neck, the blood was seen streaming from his wound.

Kirk underwent an emergency surgery but eventually succumbed to the injuries. Follow LIVE updates on Charlie Kirk shooting here

Eyewitness Justin Hicken, 41, recounted the incident as "pretty scary stuff." He said that no security screening of any kind, including metal detectors, was in place. He estimated that an outdoor amphitheatre would hold between 3,000 and 4,000 people.

"It's a bummer because whoever did this was able to enter the premises with a firearm," Mr Hicken told The Independent over the phone.

According to Hicken, Kirk was about 20 minutes into a Q&A session when a shot was fired. He witnessed Kirk "spurting" blood from his neck before he flinched back and fell. Screams erupted, people fell on the ground, and Mr Hicken was knocked down, surrounded by people.

"It is just a sad thing. I am very conservative myself, I'm pro-2nd Amendment," Mr Hicken said.

"But ultimately, when you are hosting events like this, you have to make sure you are taking good, secure measures. Because all it takes is one lunatic."

Everyone jumped to their feet and raced away as the second shot failed to materialise, Mr Hicken continued. A SWAT squad and "literally hundreds of emergency vehicles" were strewn across the campus when he exited from one of the university buildings after officials obtained his information.

Another attendee, Raydon Dechene, saw Kirk suddenly grab his neck. "And there's just blood pouring out everywhere, and his eyes kind of rolled back."

Late Wednesday, police and federal investigators continued searching local neighbourhoods. The FBI posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Submit tips regarding today's shooting at Utah Valley University," requesting the public's assistance in their hunt for the alleged shooter.

Submit tips regarding today's shooting at Utah Valley University at https://t.co/K7maX81lub pic.twitter.com/Sg47LdbHjN

— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) September 11, 2025

FBI director Kash Patel said that an individual, who was taken into custody on suspicion of being involved in the shooting, was released after interrogation.

Kirk was a strong ally of President Donald Trump and the spokesperson for right-wing campus demonstrations.