On a somber evening at Utah Valley University, thousands gathered for what was expected to be a spirited discussion on America’s future. Instead, the night ended in tragedy, with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk fatally shot before a crowd of 3,000. Now, Hunter Kozak—the student who exchanged the last words with Kirk moments before the shooting—has broken his silence, offering a raw and emotional account of the event that shook the nation.

A Night Meant for Dialogue Turns to Disaster

Charlie Kirk, a prominent MAGA activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was in the midst of his American Comeback Tour, speaking on issues ranging from gun violence to free speech. The event, held at the university’s Losee Center, drew a packed house, with students and locals eager to engage in debate.

Kirk’s commitment to open dialogue was on full display as he fielded questions from the audience. Among those who stepped up to the microphone was Hunter Kozak, a student known online as ‘staxiom’. Kozak’s question touched on a controversial topic: the role of transgender Americans in mass shootings.

“Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last 10 years?” Kozak asked.

Kirk replied, “Too many.” Kozak corrected him, saying the number was five, then pressed further: “Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?”

Kirk, ever the debater, responded, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”

The Unthinkable Happens

Moments later, the unimaginable occurred. A single shot rang out from the rooftop of the Losee Center. Eyewitnesses recall a “fountain” of blood as Kirk was struck in the neck. Panic erupted in the auditorium, as security and attendees rushed to aid Kirk and evacuate the building.

Early footage showed a figure fleeing the scene, and while conspiracy theories swirled online, authorities quickly debunked rumors of a private jet involved in the escape. Two individuals initially detained were later released, and the FBI continues its investigation into the lone gunman who remains at large.

Kozak’s Emotional Response

In the days following the tragedy, Kozak struggled with how to process the events. On TikTok, he posted a heartfelt video, grappling with the reality of what he had witnessed and the impact on Kirk’s family.

“I don’t know how to make this video,” Kozak began, visibly shaken. “It is not the answer, I don’t know what else to say. It’s f**king not.”

He condemned the violence, emphasizing the human cost: “It’s awful, and a father doesn’t have his kid anymore. Charlie had two kids and a wife, and not to make this about me, but I have two kids and a wife. If my one-year-old boy, like his one-year-old boy, will grow up without memories of his dad…it is a tragedy.”

Kozak described the difficulty of coming to terms with the event, both personally and as part of a community struggling to make sense of the loss. “It is hard to grapple with, and I am part of a community that is struggling to grapple with it,” he said.

A Conversation That Ended in Violence

Kozak’s interaction with Kirk was not the first time he had challenged the commentator’s views. He had previously posted videos disputing Kirk’s claims about transgender shooters and was determined to confront him directly at the university.

Ironically, Kirk was discussing gun violence at the moment he was shot. Kozak noted, “I’d been trying to explain how peaceful the Left was, which only works if people remain peaceful.”

Despite their differences, Kozak respected Kirk’s willingness to engage in conversation. “I’m on the record for how much I disagreed with Kirk, although I don’t condone what happened, and we should remember that he’s still a human being. Ultimately, I stood by Kirk’s willingness to have a conversation.”

A Message to Those Celebrating Violence

In his TikTok video, Kozak addressed those who have celebrated Kirk’s murder online—a reaction that has drawn widespread condemnation across the political spectrum.

“If you are salivating about what happened…don’t,” Kozak urged. “I don’t know if any of my audience is, but if you are, you are not part of what I am trying to build here, at all.”

His words serve as a reminder that political debate, however passionate, must never cross the line into violence. Kozak’s plea for empathy and restraint stands in stark contrast to the hatred and division that too often dominate social media.

The Search for Answers Continues

As the FBI continues its investigation, questions remain about the motives behind the shooting and the identity of the gunman. Security footage has provided new leads, but for now, the community is left mourning the loss of a man who, for all his controversy, was a husband, a father, and a passionate advocate for his beliefs.

President Donald Trump, after a delay, confirmed Kirk’s passing, joining a chorus of voices from across the political spectrum in condemning the violence and calling for unity.

A Community in Mourning—and Reflection

Charlie Kirk’s death has left a void in the conservative movement and sparked urgent reflection on the state of political discourse in America. For Hunter Kozak, the experience has been transformative, forcing him—and all who witnessed the tragedy—to grapple with the consequences of hate and the need for compassion.

As the investigation continues, the message from Utah Valley University is clear: violence is never the answer. Dialogue, empathy, and a commitment to peaceful exchange must guide the nation forward.

Kirk’s legacy, for better or worse, will be debated for years to come. But in the words of the last student to speak to him, what matters now is remembering the human cost—and ensuring that such a tragedy is never repeated.