'Everyone hit the deck and scattered': Witnesses describe moment of Utah shooting

September 11, 2025

Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and Trump ally, was fatally shot in the neck while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University attended by approximately 3,000 people. Witnesses described a scene of panic and chaos after a single shot was fired, which law enforcement believes came from a shooter positioned on a nearby rooftop approximately 130 meters away. Multiple attendees reported rushing to hide or flee the venue while experiencing intense fear and shock, with many noting a concerning lack of security measures at the event.

Who is affected

Approximately 3,000 attendees at the Utah Valley University event, including students and Kirk supporters
Students at Utah Valley University who were placed on lockdown
Two 17-year-old high school students who skipped school to attend the event
Eyewitnesses who described being traumatized by witnessing the shooting
Counter-protesters who were speaking against Kirk's presence on campus

What action is being taken

Law enforcement is investigating the shooting, identifying that the shot likely came from a shooter on a nearby building's roof
Students were being kept on lockdown as the shooter remained at large
Police have established barricades around the crime scene
University security and Kirk's private security detail are presumably cooperating with the investigation

Why it matters

The shooting occurred at a public event with approximately 3,000 attendees, raising serious concerns about security at large gatherings
Kirk was a prominent conservative activist and close ally of Donald Trump, making this a high-profile political assassination
The incident traumatized thousands of young people who witnessed the shooting, including high school students
The apparent ease with which the shooter accessed a vantage point raises questions about security protocols at university events
The attack occurred in the context of a politically divisive environment, as counter-protesters were present opposing Kirk's appearance

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC