Charlie Kirk assassination eyewitness Frank Turek recounts trip to hospital

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Christian apologist and creator Frank Turek was simply toes away when Turning Level USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley College. In a brand new podcast episode, he recounted the Sept. 10 taking pictures and the frantic rush to the hospital the place medical doctors pronounced the 31-year-old useless.

Kirk first reached out to Turek years in the past for mentorship in Christian apologetics, Turek stated within the podcast titled "The Greatness of Charlie Kirk: An Eyewitness Account of His Life and Martyrdom."

Their relationship blossomed, with Turek saying he got here to contemplate Kirk a son.

On the morning of the occasion, Turek joined Kirk's group on the automobile trip to Utah Valley University, discussing potential scholar questions and fine-tuning solutions.

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Charlie Kirk speaks earlier than he's shot throughout Turning Level's go to to Utah Valley College in Orem, Utah, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret Information by way of AP)

After making a fast cease to talk to an area entrepreneur group, the group arrived on the out of doors venue and Kirk started taking images with supporters and tossing hats into the massive, energetic crowd.

Although Turek informed Kirk he was involved concerning the giant variety of close by buildings and the protection threat they might pose, he stated Kirk appeared assured in his non-public safety and the local police element.

Desirous to share the joy, Turek FaceTimed relations as he stood about 30 toes to Kirk's proper. He defined that in a query about transgender violence, he heard a single shot and watched as Kirk fell backward.

The gang reacts after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Level USA, is shot on the Utah Valley College Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret Information by way of AP)

"I’m nonetheless on the cellphone, and my daughter-in-law informed me these have been the primary phrases out of my mouth, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’ … In case your son received hit, what would you do … I received within the automobile as a result of if there was any manner I may save him, I needed to do one thing."

Turek and the safety group jumped into the SUV that they used to journey to the occasion, and sped to the hospital whereas performing CPR and reciting prayers.

"And Charlie's so tall, we will not shut the door," he stated. "We drove 4 miles… all the best way to the hospital with the door open."

Turek stated he stored yelling: "Come on, Charlie! Come on! Come on!"

Legislation enforcement tapes off an space after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Level USA, was shot on the Utah Valley College, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (Tess Crowley/The Deseret Information by way of AP)

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Turek stated as they frantically raced to the hospital he realized Kirk was gone.

"Charlie wasn’t there," Turek stated by way of tears. "His eyes have been mounted. He wasn't taking a look at me, he was wanting previous me proper into eternity. He was with Jesus already. He was killed immediately and felt completely no ache."

Turek stated regardless of their finest efforts, there was nothing they might do to save lots of Kirk.

"If that is any consolation in any respect, Charlie did not undergo," he stated. "He was gone. He was with Jesus. Absent from the physique – current with the Lord. That is the place he was."

Medical doctors briefly restored Kirk's pulse at the hospital, however a surgeon pronounced Kirk useless inside half an hour, in accordance with Turek.

Hospital employees described Kirk's accidents as "catastrophic," he stated.

Charlie Kirk and his spouse, Erika Kirk and their two youngsters at Christmas in December 2024. (Charlie Kirk by way of Fb)

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The Turning Level USA group instantly contacted Kirk's spouse, Erika, and despatched a airplane to get her, Turek stated. Additionally they referred to as Vice President JD Vance.

When Erika arrived on the hospital, Turek stated she vowed to proceed his legacy, even taking a second to reassure him amid her personal anguish.

"She stated, ‘He beloved you, and he was doing what he needed to do,’" Turek stated. "Then we simply held each other, and she or he expressed that she needed to maintain Charlie's legacy going. … That girl shouldn't be going to be denied. If this murderer thought that he was going to finish Charlie's legacy, he simply poured gasoline on it and Erika goes to steer the cost."

WATCH: CLICK HERE FOR FULL PODCAST EPISODE

The group didn't have entry to the SUV they traveled in, or their private gadgets, on account of an preliminary police investigation. Nevertheless, when the car was cleared, Turek stated Erika requested for her husband's cross necklace, which went lacking in the course of the rush.

Turek discovered the cross draped over his personal laptop bag, which Kirk was mendacity on because the group drove him to the hospital.

Erika would later maintain up the necklace in a heartbreaking picture taken as she escorted his physique to a chapel in Arizona.

With supporters gathered alongside the route, Erika Kirk waves as a motorcade brings the physique of her husband, Charlie Kirk, to Hansen Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures)

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All through the podcast episode, Turek described Kirk as a fearless, relentlessly Christ-centered chief.

He highlighted Kirk's humility, self-discipline, and devotion to household, pushing again on critics who he stated "twisted" a few of Kirk’s extra controversial remarks.

Turek added, in one in all his last texts the day earlier than he was killed, Kirk despatched him the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 16:9: "A large door for efficient work has opened as much as me, and there are lots of adversaries."

Alexandra Koch is a Fox Information Digital journalist who covers breaking information, with a give attention to high-impact occasions that form nationwide dialog.

She has coated main nationwide crises, together with the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror assault, and Texas Hill Nation floods.