SHOCKING WITNESS: A reporter’s chilling account reveals the heart-stopping moment Charlie Kirk was struck at Utah Valley University! What did she see that’s left the nation reeling? This gripping firsthand story is spreading fast—click now to uncover the haunting details! 👉
A Reporter’s Haunting Account: The Moment Charlie Kirk Was Struck
On September 10, 2025, the sunlit amphitheater at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, Utah, transformed from a stage for lively debate into a scene of unthinkable tragedy. Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative firebrand and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally struck by a sniper’s bullet during a campus event. Among the 3,000 attendees were reporters Emma Pitts and Eva Terry of Deseret News, whose vivid account of the moment—shared on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports—has left an indelible mark on the nation’s consciousness. Their words, describing a “fountain of blood” and the chaos that followed, paint a harrowing picture of a day that changed America. What did these reporters witness, and what does their account reveal about the fragility of public discourse in a divided nation?
The Day of the Event
The event marked the launch of Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour,” a series of campus appearances aimed at rallying young conservatives and challenging progressive ideologies. Held in UVU’s outdoor amphitheater, the gathering was a vibrant mix of supporters—many wearing “47” hats in tribute to President Donald Trump’s second term—and protesters, with nearly 1,000 students having signed a petition to bar Kirk’s appearance due to his controversial views on transgender rights and election integrity. Under a tent emblazoned with “Prove Me Wrong,” Kirk engaged students in a Q&A, his rapid-fire style captivating the crowd.
Reporters Emma Pitts and Eva Terry were there to cover the event for Deseret News, a Salt Lake City-based outlet. They described the atmosphere as electric, with students buzzing with excitement and a handful of protesters visible on a balcony. Kirk, tossing hats to the crowd and fielding questions, was in his element. The reporters had just interviewed attendees about their enthusiasm when, around 12:10 p.m. local time, the mood shifted dramatically. As Kirk responded to a question about mass shootings—ironically asking, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”—a single gunshot pierced the air.
The Reporter’s Account
Pitts, speaking on Elizabeth Vargas Reports, recounted the moment with raw emotion. “I’ll never get the image out of my head,” she said. “It looked like a fountain of blood came out of his neck.” The shot, which she initially mistook for a firecracker, was followed by Kirk slumping in his chair, his body limp. Terry, standing nearby, described the bullet’s trajectory as coming from the “middle to right side” of the audience, likely from a rooftop 100-200 yards away. The reporters dropped to the ground, clinging to each other as panic erupted. “We hugged as tight as we could, trying to stay hidden,” Pitts told Vargas, her voice trembling. Within moments, the crowd scattered, some screaming, others ducking behind barriers.
The livestream from Turning Point USA’s YouTube channel captured the chaos, but it was Pitts and Terry’s firsthand account that brought the human toll into focus. They described students crying, some praying, as Kirk’s security team dragged him from the stage. The amphitheater, moments earlier a hub of debate, became a scene of terror. “It was surreal,” Terry said. “Everyone was so happy to have Kirk there, and then it was just… gone.” Their vivid descriptions, broadcast on NewsNation, have been viewed millions of times, amplifying the tragedy’s impact.
Charlie Kirk: A Voice Silenced
To understand the weight of this moment, we need to know Charlie Kirk. Born in 1993, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA at 18, building it into a conservative powerhouse with chapters at over 850 colleges. His podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and frequent Fox News appearances made him a star, with 5.3 million X followers and a knack for mobilizing young voters. A close ally of Trump, Kirk advised on key policy decisions and championed conservative causes, from gun rights to critiques of gender ideology. His events, like the one at UVU, were lightning rods, drawing both fervent supporters and vocal critics.
Kirk’s death sent shockwaves through the conservative movement. Trump, posting on Truth Social, called him “Great, and even Legendary,” ordering flags lowered to half-staff. Supporters like Vice President JD Vance praised Kirk’s commitment to open debate, while critics argued his provocative rhetoric fueled division. The reporters’ account, with its stark imagery, underscored the human cost of this divide—a young father and husband, gone in an instant.
The Investigation and Unanswered Questions
The investigation, led by the Utah Department of Public Safety and the FBI, is ongoing, with no suspect in custody. Initial reports of a “person of interest” were clarified by FBI Director Kash Patel, who said the individual was released after questioning. The shot, believed to have come from a rooftop, possibly the Losee Center, has focused attention on grainy CCTV footage showing a figure in dark clothing moving before and after the incident. Pitts and Terry’s account aligns with this, noting the shot’s trajectory, but the lack of a clear suspect keeps the mystery alive.
The reporters’ descriptions have also fueled speculation about a voice shouting “I got him!”—a detail mentioned by other witnesses but unconfirmed in the livestream audio. Was it the shooter, a bystander, or a misheard cry in the chaos? Pitts and Terry’s vivid recounting has made their testimony a key piece of the puzzle, with investigators seeking their input to piece together the timeline.
Security Failures and Public Outcry
The UVU event’s security—or lack thereof—has drawn intense scrutiny. With only six campus police officers and Kirk’s private security team, there were no metal detectors or bag checks. Pitts noted the event felt “wide open,” with nearby buildings offering clear vantage points. “It was preventable,” one attendee told ABC News, echoing a sentiment shared on X, where users criticized the university’s lax measures. The reporters’ account, describing the ease with which the shooter struck, has intensified calls for stricter campus safety protocols.
Public reaction has been polarized. On X, hashtags like #CharlieKirk and #UtahValley trended, with conservatives framing Kirk as a martyr for free speech and liberals urging focus on gun control. Bipartisan leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and former Vice President Kamala Harris, condemned the violence, but a congressional moment of silence devolved into partisan shouting. Pitts and Terry’s emotional recounting on Elizabeth Vargas Reports has become a touchstone, with clips shared by accounts like NewsNation and Breaking911, amassing millions of views.
A Nation in Reflection
The reporters’ account underscores America’s struggle with political violence. Recent years have seen attacks on figures like Trump, a Minnesota lawmaker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, alongside the January 6 Capitol riot, which Kirk supported. The UVU incident, captured in real-time, feels like a grim milestone. Pitts and Terry’s words—“a fountain of blood,” “everyone started running”—bring the horror home, forcing the nation to confront its fractured state.
Their testimony also raises questions about the role of media in such tragedies. While their account provided critical insight, the viral spread of graphic details has sparked debate about sensationalism versus truth-telling. Kirk’s family, including his wife, Erika, and two children, have urged platforms to limit graphic content, a plea echoed by figures like First Lady Melania Trump. Yet, the clips persist, reflecting the internet’s power to amplify both grief and outrage.
Looking Forward
As the manhunt continues, Pitts and Terry’s account remains a vital piece of the investigation. Their descriptions of the shot’s trajectory and the crowd’s panic are helping investigators narrow the search, with the Losee Center rooftop under scrutiny. The “I got him” shout, if verified, could unlock the shooter’s motive—political, personal, or otherwise. For now, the reporters’ words are a haunting reminder of a moment that shattered a campus and a nation.
Kirk’s death, seen through the lens of Pitts and Terry’s vivid account, forces America to grapple with its demons. Supporters see him as a hero silenced for his beliefs; critics argue his rhetoric fueled the tensions that ended his life. Both sides agree the reporters’ testimony is a call to action, urging a reckoning with violence and division. As the nation mourns, their words linger, a stark reminder of a day when discourse turned deadly.
