A Charlie Kirk insider shared an emotional and harrowing perspective Wednesday on the moments following the fatal shooting of the conservative leader, describing the frantic struggle to save him and the profound certainty that Kirk was “with Jesus” immediately after.
Christian author and apologist Frank Turek, who had been just a few feet from Kirk when the attack occurred, said the experience was deeply personal.
“He was like a fourth son to me,” Turek said. “I have three sons. Charlie was my fourth. That’s what made this so hard.”
Beyond the chaos of the moment, Turek reflected on the bond he shared with Kirk and the impact the young leader had on those around him.
Immediately after the shooting, Turek and colleagues rushed Kirk into a black SUV, attempting to control his bleeding while navigating through traffic.
The vehicle carried five men, all working frantically as it weaved through streets toward the hospital.
“The car lurches forward… I almost fell out, but I grabbed it and held on,” Turek recalled. “Charlie was right in front of me. We drove with the door open, trying everything we could. I kept yelling, ‘Come on, Charlie, come on.’”
Despite their desperate efforts, Kirk never regained consciousness.
Turek described the heartbreaking reality: “His eyes were fixed. He wasn’t looking at me—he was looking past me right into eternity. He was with Jesus already. He felt no pain.”
At the hospital, doctors were able to briefly restore a pulse—a fleeting hope made possible by Kirk’s overall health—but surgeons ultimately confirmed that the injuries were fatal.
The shooting occurred while Kirk, 30, was speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect.
Court filings reveal that Robinson reportedly sent a text to his alleged trans-identifying lover stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Investigators said Robinson’s parents attempted to persuade him to surrender during the FBI manhunt, The Daily Caller reports.
Recovered bullet casings carried messages that underscored the calculated nature of the attack.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) noted inscriptions including “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “If you read this you are gay LMAO,” along with one bearing the phrase “bella ciao,” a World War II-era left-wing anthem.
Following the tragedy, Turek also sought to clear up circulating social media speculation about a man in a white hat near the scene.
He explained that he had been wearing the hat himself and that another individual, Dan, who was dressed in a dark shirt and sunglasses, was part of Kirk’s longtime security detail, not involved in the shooting.
Amid the chaos and speculation, the loss remained profoundly personal and spiritual for Turek.
“He was gone. He was with Jesus, absent from the body and present with the Lord,” he said.
Beyond his grief, he emphasized the broader implications, including the safety of public figures on college campuses and the growing threats facing conservative activists.
Turek’s account captures not just the chaos of that day but also the human side of tragedy, emphasizing the bond he shared with Kirk and the lasting influence the young leader had on friends, colleagues and supporters.
In grief, reflection and faith, Turek offered a powerful window into a moment that shook the conservative community.
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