Heart-Wrenching Eyewitness Account of Charlie Kirk’s Final Moments [WATCH]

Christian apologist and author Frank Turek shared a firsthand account of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, describing the moments leading up to the Sept. 10 shooting at Utah Valley University and the failed attempts to save Kirk’s life.

Turek, who had mentored Kirk in Christian apologetics and considered him like a son, detailed the events in a podcast episode titled The Greatness of Charlie Kirk: An Eyewitness Account of His Life and Martyrdom. He recounted traveling with Kirk’s team to the event, the shooting itself, and the frantic efforts to reach a hospital.

According to Turek, he joined Kirk’s team on the morning of the event and rode with them to Utah Valley University.

Along the way, they discussed potential student questions and refined answers.

Before arriving at the venue, the group made a stop to address a local entrepreneur gathering.

When they reached the outdoor venue, Kirk spent time taking photos with supporters and tossing hats into the crowd.

Turek said he expressed concern about the surrounding buildings and possible safety risks, but Kirk remained confident in his security team and the police presence at the event.

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While FaceTiming with family members about 30 feet from Kirk, Turek said he heard a single gunshot during a question about transgender violence and saw Kirk fall backward.

“I’m still on the phone, and my daughter-in-law told me these were the first words out of my mouth, ‘No, no, no, no, no,’” Turek recalled.

He said his immediate thought was that he had to try to save Kirk.

Members of the security team and Turek rushed Kirk into the SUV they had traveled in and attempted CPR while driving to the hospital.

“Charlie’s so tall, we can’t close the door,” Turek said.

“We drove four miles… all the way to the hospital with the door open.”

He added that he repeatedly yelled, “Come on, Charlie! Come on, come on!” during the frantic ride.

Despite their efforts, Turek said he realized Kirk was already gone.

“Charlie wasn’t there. His eyes were fixed. He wasn’t looking at me. He was looking past me right into eternity. He was with Jesus already. He was killed instantly and felt absolutely no pain.”

Doctors briefly restored Kirk’s pulse after arrival but pronounced him dead within half an hour.

Hospital staff described his injuries as catastrophic, Turek said.

The Turning Point USA team immediately contacted Kirk’s wife, Erika, and arranged for her to fly to Utah.

Vice President J.D. Vance was also notified. When Erika arrived, she expressed her determination to continue her husband’s work.

“She said, ‘He loved you, and he was doing what he wanted to do,’” Turek recounted.

“Then we just held one another, and she expressed that she wanted to keep Charlie’s legacy going.”

Turek said Erika vowed to lead that effort.

“That woman is not going to be denied. If this assassin thought that he was going to end Charlie’s legacy, he just poured gasoline on it, and Erika is going to lead the charge.”

During the initial police investigation, the team was unable to access their SUV or personal belongings.

Once the vehicle was cleared, Erika asked for Kirk’s cross necklace, which had gone missing.

Turek later discovered it draped over his computer bag, which had been beneath Kirk during the ride to the hospital.

Erika was photographed holding the necklace while escorting her husband’s body to a chapel in Arizona.

Throughout the podcast, Turek described Kirk as a fearless, Christ-centered leader who showed humility, discipline, and devotion to his family.

He addressed criticisms of Kirk, saying detractors had twisted his words, and he pointed to one of Kirk’s final texts sent the day before his death.

The message included 1 Corinthians 16:9: “A wide door for effective work has opened up to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Turek concluded by reflecting on the impact of Kirk’s life and his belief that Kirk’s work and legacy would continue under Erika’s leadership.

WATCH:

Christian author Frank Turek, who was with Charlie Kirk when he was assassinated, says Charlie was with Jesus the moment he was hit.

“Now, here’s what Erika wants me to relate…”

“He was looking past me right into eternity. He was with Jesus already. He was killed instantly… pic.twitter.com/jGJjfuENMO

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 17, 2025