A man who was spotted expressing joy when Charlie Kirk was tragically shot in the neck has now spoken out. Videos taken after Kirk’s death revealed that most of the 3,000-person crowd at Utah Valley University dispersed or fled following a single gunshot aimed at the conservative figure. However, a video capturing a bearded man raising his arms and cheering went viral. The man, known as David, has since clarified that his reaction was not in celebration of the shooting.
In a video lasting two minutes that was shared on X, David identified himself as the person in the viral footage but refuted claims that he was cheering for Kirk’s demise. He recounted being present in the crowd during Kirk’s public debate, only a few meters away from where the incident occurred.
David insisted that his actions were not rooted in celebration but were intended to aid in “saving lives.” He mentioned that although he was not well-versed in Kirk’s content, he had attended the event with a friend who admired the conservative activist.
The man explained that he did not witness the gunshot directly, as his attention was focused on the debate with his head lowered. He emphasized that he instinctively monitored the security guards’ reactions and later realized that a shot had been fired.
“I raised my voice shouting ‘USA,’ not as a means of provocation but to exhibit strength, provide encouragement, create a distraction to ease panic, or potentially save lives,” David stated. He emphasized, “I would never wish harm upon anyone.”
David highlighted his background as a former soldier, stating that his military training enabled him to react swiftly and maintain composure under pressure while focusing on safeguarding and comforting his friend.
Despite his claim of being unfamiliar with Kirk’s content, David posted a perplexing follow-up video where he referenced “my soldiers, including Charlie, dying so you guys can mock each other.” He also oddly mentioned being “the happiest person you ever met in your entire life.”
Charlie Kirk lost his life after being shot in the neck during a debate event at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, 22, was apprehended by the police on Thursday night after a substantial manhunt, initiated by his police officer father who compelled him to surrender.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that the suspect had confided in a family friend before September 10 about Charlie Kirk’s impending visit to Utah Valley University. The suspect had expressed discontent with Kirk’s viewpoints, labeling him as a promoter of hatred, according to Cox.