A bearded man who was filmed in the chaotic aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination has stepped forward, insisting that his actions were widely misunderstood.
Viral Clip Sparks Outrage
Footage from the shocking incident at Utah Valley University spread rapidly across social media on Wednesday. In the video, a man wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap is seen raising his arms and appearing to cheer. Many viewers were horrified, accusing him of celebrating Kirk’s death. The clip, which racked up millions of views on X, quickly became one of the most recognizable and controversial images from the tragedy.
But the man, who identifies himself only as David, now says the public got it wrong.
“I Wasn’t Celebrating”
Speaking in a two-minute video posted on X, David explained that what looked like joy was actually something else.
“When I first heard the loud crack, I honestly thought it might have been fireworks or some kind of prank gone wrong,” he said. “It wasn’t until no fireworks appeared that I realized it had to be a gunshot.”
David described the moment as confusing and terrifying. He believed Kirk had been badly injured after seeing the reaction of those around him. In the heat of that chaos, he claims, he instinctively shouted “USA! USA!”—not to mock or rejoice, but to steady the crowd, encourage strength, and create a distraction that, in his view, might help prevent panic.
“I didn’t cheer because someone was hurt,” he insisted. “I was trying to stop fear from spreading, maybe even save lives.”
Confusing Messages
David also emphasized that he isn’t particularly familiar with Charlie Kirk’s political work and would never wish harm on anyone. Yet in a later clip, his comments turned cryptic. He referred to “my soldiers, including Charlie, dying so you guys can make fun of each other,” and oddly called himself “the happiest person you ever met in your entire life.” He never clarified who he meant by “my soldiers,” leaving many unsettled by his words.
A Nation in Shock
Charlie Kirk, just 31 years old, was killed during a student debate when a bullet struck him in the neck. His murder has drawn bipartisan condemnation, with leaders across the political spectrum expressing outrage and grief. Former President Donald Trump mourned him as “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.”
Police arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson after a massive manhunt. Authorities revealed that Robinson’s own father turned him in after recognizing FBI-released images. He has since been charged with aggravated murder and now awaits trial.
Lingering Questions
As the country continues to reel from Kirk’s assassination, David’s viral moment illustrates how easily chaos can be misinterpreted online. What many saw as a grotesque celebration, he insists was a desperate attempt to calm a terrified crowd.
“I would never cheer for someone’s death,” David said firmly. “I only wanted to stop the panic.”