Man seen cheering after Charlie Kirk shot dead claims he was 'trying to save lives'

A man who was seen cheering when Charlie Kirkwas fatally shotin the neck has broken his silence.

Videos from the aftermath of Kirk's death showed most people in the 3,000 large crowd at the Utah Valley University ducking or running away, after a single bullet was fired at the conservative political activist, but a viral video caught a bearded man raising his arms and cheering. The man, going by the name of David, has since broken his silence and said he was not celebrating the shooting, despite his viral reaction.

The footage, moments after Kirk was shot, showed a bearded man with long hair wearing a baseball cap appearing to smile while other spectators ran to safety.

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In a two-minute clip posted on X, David claimed to be the person in the viral video but denied he was cheering or celebrating Kirk's death. He had been in the crowd during Kirk's public debate, just metres away from the conservative activist when he was killed.

David claimed his actions were not him cheering but were rather meant to help "save lives". The man said he was not very familiar with Kirk's content but went to the event with his friend who was a fan of the conservative activist.

David explained that he did not see the gunshot directly, despite being so close, as he had his head lowered to listen to the debate. He claimed that he "instinctively" checked the action of security guards and then realised a shot had been fired.

The man said: "I stood and shouted 'USA', not as a provocation, but to project strength, encourage others, encourage a distraction that might help calm panic or even save lives". He added: "I would never wish to celebrate harm to anyone."

David claimed his past as a soldier meant he reacted quickly and "was able to stay calm under stress, focus on protecting and comforting my friend".

Despite saying he was not familiar with Kirk's content, David posted a cryptic follow-up video where he said "my soldiers, including Charlie, dying so you guys can mock each other". David bizarrely added that he is "the happiest person you ever met in your entire life".

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while hosting a debate event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Police arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, on Thursday night, after his cop dad made him turn himself in to the police following a huge manhunt for the shooter.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox said the suspect told one of his family friends, at a dinner before September 10, that Charlie Kirk was coming to Utah Valley University.

The suspect talked about why he "didn't like him and the viewpoints he had". Robinson had told a family member that "Kirk was full of hate and spreading hate", according to Cox.