What Charlie Kirk said at Utah rally before he was shot and killed by gunman

Shortly after midday US time yesterday (September 10), conservative activist Charlie Kirkwas addressing attendees at an event at Utah Valley University, where more than 3,000 people had gathered to hear him speak.

Moments later, a sound likened to a "popping" firework rang out as horrified onlookers saw the 31-year-old lurch forward and go "limp", blood pouring from his neck.

He'd been shot, fatally, from a distance, causing chaos to erupt among the gathered crowds.Although the married dad-of-two was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, nothing could be done to save him, and he later died.

For those who watched the harrowing events unfold, the shock remains all too raw. And Kirk's final words before the bullet was fired make for haunting reading.

READ MORE: Charlie Kirk dead UPDATES: Donald Trump address in full as gunman still at large

Chicago-born Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, an influential nonprofit political organisation that champions conservative politics across college and high school campuses.

Known for his right-wing views on topics such as women's reproductive choices and the LGBTQ+ community, Kirk would regularly appear on campuses for his Prove Me Wrong events, described on the Turning Point USA website as "a bold, on-the-ground debate series hosted by Charlie Kirk, as he invites students to challenge his views on political and cultural issues."

As he had done many times before, Kirk yesterday spoke with students from beneath a white marquee emblazoned with the messages "The American Comeback" and "Prove Me Wrong".

Just as he was discussing the topic of gun crime in the US, the day took a terrible turn.

One audience member asked Kirk, "Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last 10 years?", to which he replied, "Counting or not counting gang violence?"

It was then that the bullet entered his neck, prompting terrified witnesses to flee the scene. Witness Justin Hickens recalled: “We heard a big loud shot, I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie, I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground."

Hickens noted that the onlookers became calmer after they released the gunfire had ceased after the shooting of Kirk.

READ MORE: Chilling video reveals rooftop sniper after conservative speaker Charlie Kirk's shooting

Authorities are treating this crime as an assassination, but at the time of writing, it's unclear who killed Kirk or why. The shooter remains at large, while police sources have stated that they are searching for a new person of interest in connection with their investigations.

It was previously reported that two individuals, including 71-year-old protester George Zinn, had been detained yesterday evening. However, both have since been released after it was determined they didn't have any connection to the shooting.

Eyewitnesses have said that the assassin wore dark clothing and fired from a building overlooking the courtyard where the event was held, while Utah Valley University has specified that the shots originated from the Losee Centre, the location of a number of student support services.

Law enforcement sources have said the suspect fired from the roof, while photographs circulating online appear to show asniper lurking on top of the building.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates by clicking here.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

READ MORE: Charlie Kirk's family life - from wife with unlikely job to two young children