Student debating Charlie Kirk when he was killed breaks silence: 'Couldn't have asked a worse question'

Utah Valley University student Hunter Kozak posted a video on Insta where he described the chaos after Charlie Kirk was struck by a sniper’s bullet
PUBLISHED SEP 13, 2025
Utah student Hunter Kozak recalls last words with Charlie Kirk before sniper attack (@staxioms/Instagram, Getty Images)
Utah student Hunter Kozak recalls last words with Charlie Kirk before sniper attack (@staxioms/Instagram, Getty Images)

OREM, UTAH: The last person to speak with Charlie Kirk before his assassination has come forward with his account of the shooting after allegations of having a role in it. 

Utah Valley University student Hunter Kozak posted a video on Instagram where he described the chaos after Kirk was struck by a sniper’s bullet on campus.



 

Hunter Kozak details his final exchange with Charlie Kirk as 'awful'

Kozak, 29, said he attended the event after previously calling out Charlie Kirk over comments about “the suspected Minneapolis school shooter” and trans people.

He recapped the moment he raised that issue with Kirk before the activist was suddenly shot in the neck, sending the audience fleeing.

Hunter Kozak, 29, said he attended the event after previously calling out Charlie Kirk (@staxioms/Instagram)
Hunter Kozak, 29, said he attended the event after previously calling out Charlie Kirk (@staxioms/Instagram)

“I don’t know how to make this video, it’s been a rough 24 hours,” Kozak said in the clip. He admitted he has “barely” been able to bring himself to watch the video back.

“First off, you sick f***ing psychos that think this is the answer… um, it’s not. I don’t know what else to say,” Kozak continued, calling Kirk’s death “awful.”

Utah student speaks about tragedy and shared family ties

In his video, Kozak also spoke about the personal toll of the tragedy.

“Charlie had two kids and a wife, and not to make this about me, but I have two kids and a wife,” he said. “It’s a tragedy and it’s hard to grapple with.”

He pointed to what others online called “irony” about his last words to Kirk.

Charlie Kirk throws a
Charlie Kirk throws a "Make America Great Again" hat to the crowd at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“And people have obviously pointed to the irony that… I was, the point I was trying to make was how peaceful the left was right before he got shot. And that, that only makes sense if we stay peaceful,” Kozak said.

“I’m on the record for how much I disagree with Charlie Kirk, but he is still a human being – have we forgotten that? Are we crazy? I stand by so little of everything that he said, but one of the things that he stood by was conversation,” Kozak added.

Hunter Kozak addresses conspiracy theories around Charlie Kirk assassination

Kozak also addressed online conspiracy theories suggesting he was involved in the attack.

“You are not helping anything,” he said. “I’ve been talking to the police. We’re good, thank you, and if you’re salivating about what happened, don’t," Kozak said.

"I don’t know if any of my audience is but, if you are, you’re not part of what I’m trying to do here at all," he concluded.

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“I wanted to challenge him,” Kozak subsequently told The New York Times, recounting his horrific experience of the day and again expressing sympathy for Kirk’s family.

“I couldn’t have asked a worse question,” he reflected.

Authorities on Friday confirmed they had arrested a prime suspect, Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah involved in Kirk's killing.

Officials said Robinson “confessed” to his family before he was taken into custody. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated Robinson had “become more political in recent years” and lashed out at Kirk when he learned of the university event.

Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22  Mug shot (FBI)
Suspect Tyler Robinson was apprehended from his home (FBI)

Investigators said Robinson was still wearing the same clothes from the shooting when he was arrested. Messages he shared with his roommates on Discord mentioned retrieving a rifle from a “drop point.”

Authorities also detailed engravings on his bullets and unique features on his weapon, adding that he changed his outfit after shooting Kirk.

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