Witness Recounts Chaotic Moments Following Charlie Kirk Assassination

The tragic assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has left the nation in shock as authorities work to identify the shooter responsible for the attack at Utah Valley University. A witness to the horrifying event has shared her experience, along with video footage that captures the terrifying moments as people dropped to the ground when gunfire erupted at what should have been a routine speaking engagement.

Lexi Langley, who recently graduated from Brigham Young University, described the chaotic scene that unfolded at the UVU courtyard. “I didn’t know that he had been shot at the time. And everyone kind of dropped to the ground,” Langley told Fox News Digital. The video she provided shows attendees immediately taking cover as the shot rang out, a natural human response to gunfire. “I was preparing to hear more shots because I thought maybe this was a mass shooting. It didn’t cross my mind that it would have been an assassination attempt,” she explained, highlighting the confusion and fear that permeated the scene. In those initial moments, no one seemed to fully grasp what had happened to Kirk, only that danger was present and immediate.

The aftermath created a surreal atmosphere as people sought safety in nearby buildings. Langley described her own experience of fleeing into a building with other attendees, where the gravity of the situation began to sink in. “It still didn’t really feel real. Like I felt like I was in a dream. It was so weird,” she recounted. The trauma of witnessing such violence created an unexpected bond among strangers who found themselves united by this terrible experience. “So many people were coming through crying…it’s like the worst way to bond with strangers. But in that moment, it was like, it doesn’t matter who I talk to, we are all in this together,” Langley said, touching on how shared trauma can briefly dissolve social barriers and create instant community among those affected.

The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, releasing images of a person of interest and offering a substantial reward for information leading to an arrest. “The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual(s) responsible for the murder of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah,” the FBI’s Salt Lake City office announced on social media. The photos show a male wearing jeans, a black shirt featuring an American flag graphic, a hat, and black sunglasses. Two individuals were initially detained and questioned by law enforcement but were subsequently released, indicating that authorities are still searching for the actual perpetrator of this targeted attack.

Kirk, who had built Turning Point USA into one of the most influential conservative youth organizations in America, was shot while speaking at an event hosted by his organization. University officials had initially reported that Kirk was in critical condition following the shooting, but later confirmed his death. The assassination has sent shockwaves through political circles across the ideological spectrum, with many leaders condemning political violence regardless of target or motivation. The brazen nature of the attack—carried out in broad daylight at a university venue—has raised serious questions about security protocols at public speaking events and the increasingly volatile political climate in the United States.

As the investigation continues, the FBI is urging anyone with information about the person of interest or the shooting to call their hotline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit tips online. The substantial reward reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating this assassination. Meanwhile, those who witnessed the event, like Langley, are left to process their proximity to such a shocking act of violence. Her testimony and video evidence provide a glimpse into the human experience of tragedy—the instinctive responses, the confusion, the fear, and the way that strangers can become momentary communities in the face of danger. As the nation grapples with yet another act of political violence, the search for answers and justice continues while those affected begin the difficult process of healing from what they’ve experienced.