The student who asked Charlie Kirk a question moments before his tragic assassination at Utah Valley University has broken his silence. Charlie Kirk, 31, was a prominent conservative commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA. Known for his polarizing views and strong presence in right-wing circles, Kirk was in the middle of a public Q&A session when he was fatally shot on September 10, 2025.

Kirk had been speaking at the university as part of his “American Comeback Tour” when a single gunshot rang out. The bullet struck him in the neck, reportedly fired from a nearby rooftop. Panic spread through the audience, and although emergency responders arrived quickly, Kirk succumbed to his injuries. The shooter has not been apprehended, though the FBI has released new footage of a suspect fleeing the scene, and weapons were found in nearby woods.

The final person to speak to Kirk before the shooting was Hunter Kozak, a student at Utah Valley University. In a newly released Instagram video, Kozak shared his experience and expressed his grief. “I don’t know how to make this video,” he began, describing the past 24 hours as emotionally overwhelming and tragic. Kozak had previously challenged Kirk online, posting videos criticizing his past remarks about transgender people, particularly in relation to a suspected school shooter. At the event, Kozak asked Kirk about the number of mass shooters who were transgender in the last decade.

Kirk replied, “Too many,” sparking applause. Kozak then questioned the total count of mass shootings. Moments later, Kirk was shot. In his video, Kozak firmly condemned the violence and those celebrating the killing. He emphasized that Kirk’s death was a tragedy and extended sympathy to Kirk’s wife and children, noting his own role as a father and husband. The incident continues to spark debate, grief, and questions about safety, rhetoric, and political discourse in the U.S.