Trevor Howard was at the campus event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday when conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. Howard described the moment he heard a gunshot.

Orem

A witness at a Utah Valley University event featuring conservative commentator Charlie Kirk described hearing a gunshot and initially mistaking it for a firecracker. The situation quickly escalated as people began running in fear, and the witness joined others in seeking cover behind tables near a volunteer tent. 

Police arrived to secure the area, but the shooter remained unidentified and at large at the time of the interview. The witness expressed frustration and anger over the violence, noting the event was intended to foster open debate and dialogue.

Witness at Charlie Kirk event recalls hearing gunshot, people running

Trevor Howard was there at Utah Valley University listening to the event, and he joins us now with his perspective. Trevor, good morning. I know this is a difficult day for you, but where were you exactly, and what did you see? So I was up a little ways. It's hard to see and even hear Charlie, and I was trying to get closer when it happened. And help us understand, because it appeared to be an outdoor amphitheater. Charlie Kirk was in his tent at the center where he usually engages with people. So what was happening around you when it became clear he had been shot? Well, I heard the shot, and my first thought was that it was a firecracker and someone was trying to disrupt the event. It was a prank. But then I saw people running towards me, looks of horror on their face. It was, people were afraid for their lives. And where did you go? I moved back. I was next to the volunteer tent, and so they were ducked down behind tables, and I was there with them. And I know that you've told our team that then you saw a large police presence come in and try to secure the area. The shooter, as you and I are speaking, is still unidentified, on the loose, out there somewhere. So how are you making sense of this? Well, it's so frustrating. I mean, this coward, he had the opportunity to come up to the mic and to engage that way, and he chose to shoot, to use violence. It's just senseless. I'm really angry at this individual, and I hope that they receive full justice. You mentioned that everyone had an opportunity to engage with Charlie Kirk, no matter what their political opinions are. That's what he tried to foster on college campuses was open debate. But now, seeing that he has been shot and killed in such a gruesome way, what's your anxiety level? How are you trying to calm your nerves and your frustration? Oh, so after the event, I was around talking to other people, trying to figure out really at first what was going on. But it's just, it's nice to talk to people, but at the end of the day, he's still dead, and it's still a tragedy. It really angers me, makes me really upset. Yeah, and there's a lot of people around the country who feel the same way. Trevor Howard, we appreciate you getting up early, chatting with us about this. We wish you the best. Thank you. Yeah.

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