The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk left NFL fans struggling to process the reality of what they witnessed. Several video clips showing the conservative activist being shot at Utah Valley University are available on social media. But it is not an incident that folks witness daily in the morning.
A memorial for Charlie Kirk at the Turning Point Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025.
So, many viewers initiallyrefused to believeKirk would actually die. Even a handful of them truly thought the video was fake. It literally became a trending phrase among sports fans grappling with the brutal footage. But in reality, Kirk truly left behind his wife, children, friends, and family.
Fans Confess Initial Reactions to Charlie Kirk’s Death
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer was among the first NFL media figures to react publicly on Kirk’s tragic death. In his tweet, he expressed regret at watching the disturbing video.
His emotional confession touched many football fans, and it turned out all of them were feeling almost the same. Each of them needed time to process the shocking assassination of the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder.
The senior NFL reporterwrote, “I wish I hadn’t seen the Charlie Kirk video. Awful, reprehensible, and indicative of a political climate that’s been way out of control for way too long. Prayers to Kirk and his family.”
I wish I hadn’t seen the Charlie Kirk video.
Awful, reprehensible, and indicative of a political climate that’s been way out of control for way too long. Prayers to Kirk and his family.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 10, 2025
In the comments, there was an ocean of condolences for Kirk. But a handful of fans confessed they thought he would live even after being shot by the sniper.
One fanwrote, “I didn’t think he was going to die. I watched it thinking he would live. I now regret it. I am so sorry Charlie.”
A second fan followed his reaction andagreed, “Same. I truly thought it was fake…such a sad time we’ve arrived in.”
A third fanwrote, “Wish I never saw it. So much blood pouring out.”
A fourthadded, “There is just no need for this to happen in the world and I wish I lived in an era where I wouldn’t be able to see the video.”
Then the next onepenned, “Saw it once. I’ll never see it again.”
Anotherclaimed, “Feel the same way. So terrible. Prayers for Charlie.”
Folks were really unprepared for the reality of witnessing political violence in real time. Most of them thought it could be just another fatal injury, but the bullet from the sniper literally hit his neck. Such a situation always results in a spot death.
Federal and state authorities are following multiple leads in the search for Charlie Kirk’s killer. The Utah Department of Public Safety stated on Thursday that the FBIshared picturesof a “person of interest” that were taken from school security cams before the murder.
There is also a prize money of up to $100,000 from the FBI for information that helps them find and arrest the suspect.