A man who appeared in viral video footage seemingly cheering moments after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah college event said he was not celebrating the violence but shouted "USA" to create a distraction that might help save lives.
The man, who identified himself as David in a two-minute video posted on X, said he initially thought the sharp sound he heard was fireworks or a prank and that he only realized it was a firearm when he saw no smoke on the horizon. In the statement he said he "believed Charlie had been gravely injured" after observing a friend's reaction and that he instead shouted to try to calm panic and project strength.
The shooting occurred Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, at an American Comeback tour event at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was critically wounded and later pronounced dead. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson on Friday in connection with the killing. Officials have said Robinson acted alone and investigators plan to charge him with aggravated murder.
In the X statement, the man appearing to be the person shown in social media footage wearing a tan backward cap described rising to his feet to check security personnel after he concluded a firearm had been used. "I stood and shouted 'USA,' not as a provocation, but to project strength, encourage others, and create a distraction that might help calm panic or even save lives," he said.
The footage drew immediate attention and criticism after frames circulated online that appeared to show a bearded man clapping and cheering in the moments after the shot was fired. The man said he was only minimally familiar with Kirk's content and added, "I would never wish to celebrate harm to anyone."
Local and federal authorities have been investigating the shooting. Media reports and law enforcement statements said Robinson, who was arrested after being turned in, had expressed anger about Kirk's campus appearance and allegedly wrote "Hey fascist! Catch!" on a bullet. Reports also said Robinson threatened to kill himself rather than surrender after his father confronted him and noted that he was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about which he had reportedly recently written positively before the shooting.
The man who identified himself as David addressed the public reaction to the viral clip, saying his manner in the video may have appeared detached because he read from prepared remarks and that he stumbled over some wording. He maintained that his intent was to reduce panic in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
Investigators continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as prosecutors prepare charges. Public officials and advocacy groups have called for careful review of video and other materials from the event as authorities work to piece together the exact sequence of events leading to Kirk's death.
The man who posted the statement said he hoped his explanation would clarify his actions and that he did not celebrate the shooting. He reiterated that his decision to shout was intended to help others in the chaotic seconds after the gunfire.