The assassination of Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, has left thousands searching for answers.
Kirk was addressing more than 3,000 people at Utah Valley University on September 10 when a
gunman shot him in the neck. The horrifying moment, captured on video, has since been analyzed by experts.
Neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik explained that the wound, which struck both the carotid artery and jugular vein,
would have left Kirk conscious for less than half a second. “There was no panic, no dread—only an immediate blackout,”
he said. While the brain registers pain signals in milliseconds, Kirk’s rapid loss of consciousness meant he never processed pain.
Van Schaik described his death as “essentially instant,” a finding that has offered comfort to many who feared his final moments were filled with fear.
Investigators are also uncovering disturbing details about the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Authorities reported that bullet casings at the scene carried bizarre inscriptions, including memes, antifascist references,
and trolling phrases. Officials believe the markings point to Robinson’s immersion in online subcultures,
though their precise meaning remains unclear. The revelations highlight the unsettling mix of ideology and internet culture that may have shaped the attack.