As law enforcement officials continue searching for the person behind the assassination of 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, witnesses describe a scene with minimal security at the event on the campus of Utah Valley University (UVU) when the shooting took place.

“There were not a lot of cops there. I’ve seen more cops at UVU for sporting events than right now,” a witness identified as Sam, who said he was a local high school student, told KUTV. Sam also wondered why there weren’t stricter security measures, such as bag checks before the event.

“They had cops above on the walkways who were stopping — what I assume — people from throwing stuff down towards him. So, I wonder why there wasn’t any level of security taken to stop people around, like, in front of him or anything like that,” he added.

Kirk, who famously went to college campuses across the country to discuss politics with and debate young people, was fatally shot during an event at UVU on Wednesday afternoon. While an individual initially believed to be the shooter was taken into custody, authorities later determined that the person was not connected to the shooting.

First responders work the scene where political activist Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah.  (George Frey)

The 25-year-old was weaving his way through the tightly-packed crowd to pose a question to Kirk when, at about 50 feet away, he heard what sounded like a “popping” firework. Then he saw Kirk’s head slumped.

A stampede rife with terror and panic soon erupted, DeVries said. Some attendees darted to a nearby building and ran through a water fountain to escape. Others ducked down.

A crowd watches as Charlie Kirk appears at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune)

“People definitely feared for their lives. I could see it in their eyes. I could hear it in their voices. People were crying. People were screaming. It was a nightmare,” DeVries said.

DeVries walked up to the university’s Turning Point student chapter table, where he joined its members in a prayer for Kirk.

“It was a come together moment.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.