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Witnesses of the fatal Charlie Kirk shooting at Utah Valley University in Orem, which claimed the life of the American political activist and author, have shared their experience of the unfortunate event.
Taylor Dufur and his wife, Haley Bermingham, who, according to NBC News, were about thirty feet away from Charlie Kirk when the incident happened, recounted their first reaction to the shooting.
“We heard the gunshot, and people just started dropping. I looked over and saw him as he was falling out of his chair, and I saw the blood coming out of his neck,” Taylor said, referring to Charlie, whose death has been confirmed. “It was just — people panicking, kind of chaos.”
He added that he felt anger and sadness about what happened.
“It makes me angry. I do get very angry about it — that someone could have this much hate inside them, as they want to take somebody out of their world. It’s just sad, as well, because our world is so divided at the moment. And I feel like people just need to get along.”
His wife, Haley, shared that people were confused after hearing the gunshot and didn't know if they were to crouch as ordered and flee from the scene.
“Everyone, get down, get down, that’s a gunshot. And then the next thing you know, you’re just trying to look for your exits. He’s saying to stay down, but do you run? Do you stay down, do you crawl? You don’t know what to do.”
Haley and Taylor are both fans of the late Charlie Kirk. According to the couple, everyone was enjoying the event before the disaster happened.
More details on Charlie Kirk’s passing
Charlie Kirk was at Utah Valley University for his first stop on Turning Point’s “American Comeback Tour.” He was seated on his famous “prove me wrong” table when he was shot about 20 minutes into the presentation he was giving to the students.
According to Justin Hickens, a witness to the shooting who was about 20 yards from the shooting, he saw the bullet hit Charlie before the venue descended into chaos.
“We heard a big loud shot. I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie. I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground.”
He added that immediately after, a suspect was caught and taken away from the venue.
“I kind of turned around, and all of a sudden, I saw officers walking with this very elderly gentleman with white hair. They had him arrested, they had him on his knees, and he was screaming about his rights and all that stuff. They cuffed him and put him away.”
President Donald Trump shared the news of Charlie’s death on Truth Social.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” the president added. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife, Erika and family. Charlie, we love you!”
Charlie Kirk was 31 when he died. He is survived by his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two children.
Read more: Charlie Kirk shot during live event at Utah Valley University
Read more: Charlie Kirk, 31, passed away after being shot during live event at Utah Valley University
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