Charlie Kirk's Last Words Before His Death

What began as a routine Q&A session about mass shootings turned into a horrifying tragedy, leaving witnesses reeling and the crowd screaming in terror.

Political firebrand Charlie Kirk was gunned down in front of a live audience on September 10, 2025, in a moment so sudden, so brutal, that it left the crowd screaming. Just moments earlier, he was fielding questions about mass shootings in the U.S., unaware that his final words would be etched into history.

Tense Exchange Unfolds Moments Before Chaos Erupts

The shocking incident, caught on video, shows the conservative commentator locked in a tense exchange with a member of the audience who raised a controversial question. He asked Kirk how many transgender Americans were disproportionately responsible for mass shootings.

Calm and composed, Kirk responded bluntly, "Too many." The same audience member pressed further, claiming the number of transgender mass shooters was just five.

He went on to ask another question that would become chillingly prophetic, "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?"

Without missing a beat, Kirk shot back with what would become his final words, "Counting or not counting gang violence?" Seconds later, a sharp pop pierced the air, and all hell broke loose.

The crowd screamed in terror as Kirk recoiled violently in his seat, struck by a bullet in front of the stunned audience.

Data Expert Backs Audience Claim Contradicting Kirk's Remarks

Charlie Kirk's final discussion has now been sharply rebutted — with the audience member's claim backed by none other than Mark Bryant, founding executive director of the Gun Violence Archive.

Despite the tense exchange moments before the fatal shooting, data show that the overwhelming majority of mass attacks in the U.S. have no connection whatsoever to transgender individuals.

From January 2013 to the present, the U.S. has witnessed more than 5,700 mass shootings, defined as incidents where four or more victims were shot and killed. Just five of those attackers were confirmed to be transgender, according to Bryant's authoritative data.

Witness Recalls Moment Gunfire Shattered the Room

Now, after the tragic incident that led to Kirk's death, witnesses have come forward to share what they saw unfold at Utah Valley University.

One attendee, Skyler Baird, revealed, "I was only maybe 15 feet, not even 15 feet away from him. And I heard the pop, and I said in my mind, 'That was a gunshot.'"

Baird said his immediate thought was survival, but he quickly turned to help others escape the packed event, which drew roughly 3,000 people. As the crowd scattered, the reality of the tragedy set in. "I pretty much knew immediately that he wasn't going to make it," he admitted.

Although Kirk was heavily guarded while on stage, Baird noted that security measures were minimal for attendees entering the venue.

He explained that while the political commentator was protected from someone rushing the stage or attempting a physical attack, the general area had the usual campus-level security, leaving the crowd largely unmonitored as they arrived.

A Father, a Voice for Dialogue – and Now a Victim of Violence

Baird, who had followed Kirk's career for years, said the brutal killing left him shaken and filled with empathy, especially for Kirk's family, including his two young daughters.

He expressed disbelief that someone so committed to fostering dialogue could become the target of such cold-blooded violence.

Baird warned that this tragedy reflects a growing divide in America, one that's becoming too dangerous to ignore. He called for reason and logic to guide interactions rather than emotion.

"As you have friends and loved ones that you've cut ties with, don't cut ties with them. Call them back. Let them know you love them. Let them know that it's okay that you have differing opinions," Baird pleaded.

The witness also offered a final, somber warning, saying that when conversations stop, atrocities like Kirk's shooting become all the more likely.

Eyewitness Believed Gunshot Was Part of the Show

Another eyewitness account underscored the sense of shock. Jeremy King, 45, who stood about 15 feet from Kirk, said he was initially confused at the time, believing the gunshot might have been "part of an act or performance" tied to the discussion about gun rights and the LGBTQ+ community.

King's confusion turned to panic as Kirk collapsed. "Everyone around me dropped to the ground. I immediately stood over my wife. You don't know if this is a single shot or if it's going to turn into a mass shooting. And so you're scanning," he recalled.

He later saw Kirk's bodyguards react swiftly, adding, "At that moment, I did grab my phone and start recording as they moved him to the SUV and loaded him up."

University Confirms Shooting From Building 200 Yards Away

A UVU spokesperson later recounted the details, "We had a speaker, Charlie Kirk, who was invited by a student group, Turning Point USA, who was speaking on campus today at noon."

The university representative continued, "At about 12:20, shots were fired from a building about 200 yards from the speaker. To the best of our knowledge, the individual was hit and was taken away immediately by his security personnel. The campus is closed for the rest of the day and our campus police has a suspect in custody."

FBI Says Initial Suspect Released, Investigation Still Ongoing

Shortly after Kirk's tragic death, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel said on X that the person initially detained in connection with the shooting had been questioned and released.

He also emphasized that the inquiry remains active and promised to provide continued updates in the interest of transparency.

With no suspect in custody, a wider manhunt began — but an expert warned it would be difficult. CNN's Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst John Miller said the attacker likely planned to move silently, remain unseen, fire a single shot, complete the mission, take the weapon, and leave little evidence behind.

The TV network's analyst also noted that the precision of the single shot suggested the attacker had prior firearms experience.

"This is someone who knew exactly what they were doing and is probably known to others, and this may be working to the advantage of law enforcement. As someone who has a long history in shooting, this wasn't an amateur," he explained.

National Leaders Mourn Kirk's Death

As the reality of Kirk's death set in, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. In an address, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the shooting as a national tragedy.

"I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror," he said. He also described Kirk as a "martyr" and called the incident a "dark moment" in American history.

Meanwhile, the country's Vice President JD Vance mourned Kirk's death and echoed Trump's message by reposting it on X, amplifying the president's praise of Kirk as a "legendary" figure who deeply influenced young Americans.

Trump's post also included condolences to Kirk's wife, Erika, and their family. Vance followed with a brief prayer for Kirk's peaceful eternal rest.

Earlier in the day, Trump had issued a formal proclamation ordering that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff through September 14. The order applies to the White House, federal buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies worldwide.