Attendees at the campus event where US conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot described mass panic when a shot was heard. Kirk, 31, was hit in the neck by a single bullet, which law enforcement believes came from a shooter on the roof of a nearby building.
Videos on social media show Kirk discussing gun violence moments before the tragic incident. Eyewitness Porter LaFerber recounted the experience: I was sitting there filming him, I cut my video and just then I heard this shot. You don't really realize what's happened until it's happened. Charlie falls off his stool, everyone starts panicking. Another witness, Danielle, was only 15 feet away from Kirk and reported hearing screams and seeing people running.
Former US congressman Jason Chaffetz, who attended the event with his daughter, described how everyone immediate hit the deck and scrambled for safety after the gunshot. Videos captured the rush to flee the scene, amidst confusion and distress.
Concerns over security measures have arisen following the event, with witnesses criticizing the lack of proper screening and oversight. Utah Valley University is under scrutiny as it had provided only a few security officers for the talk, aside from Kirk's private security detail. Eyewitness Emma Pitts remarked, I'll never get the image out of my head, referring to the traumatic nature of the event.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a tragic reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding gun violence in the United States.
