The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk has left thousands of Americans searching for answers—not just about how it happened, but also what Kirk himself may have felt in those final seconds. The 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA was addressing a crowd of more than 3,000 at Utah Valley University on September 10 when a gunman opened fire, striking him in the neck. The horrifying moment, captured on video, has since been closely examined by experts. Now, a neuroscientist has revealed that Kirk’s final moments were far different from what many might imagine.
Neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik analysed the footage and explained that the wound Kirk sustained would have left him conscious for less than half a second. “When someone suffers a catastrophic wound to the carotid artery and jugular vein, the mind has almost no time to register what has happened,” Van Schaik said. Using a digital timer on the video, he concluded that Kirk would not have been able to process what took place. “There was no panic, no dread—only an immediate blackout,” he explained.
Van Schaik went on to clarify that while the human brain can register pain signals within milliseconds, Kirk’s rapid loss of consciousness meant his mind never converted those signals into a feeling of pain. “He absolutely did not know he was shot,” the neuroscientist said, calling his death “essentially instant.” This explanation has brought a measure of comfort to some who feared Kirk’s final moments may have been filled with fear or suffering.
Meanwhile, investigators have been piecing together disturbing details about the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Authorities revealed that several bullet casings found at the scene contained strange inscriptions, including internet memes, antifascist references, and trolling messages. Officials said the markings appear to reflect Robinson’s immersion in online subcultures. While the exact meaning of the engravings remains unclear, the discovery underscores the bizarre blend of ideology and internet culture that may have influenced the attacker’s mindset in the lead-up to the shooting.
