When footage of the Utah Valley University shooting surfaced, one moment drew intense scrutiny.
Amid the chaos after Charlie Kirk was shot, cameras captured a bearded man in a baseball cap raising his arms as others ducked.
To millions online, it appeared he was celebrating. Outrage spread quickly, with many calling his actions cruel.
Now, the man—identifying himself only as David—has come forward. He insists he was not cheering the tragedy but shouting “USA!
USA!” to project strength and calm panic in the packed room. At first, he thought the loud crack might have been fireworks,
but when he realized it was gunfire, he tried to redirect fear. “I wasn’t celebrating,” he explained. “I was trying to stop the chaos.”
His defense hasn’t silenced debate. A second video he posted, where he referenced “my soldiers, including Charlie,” fueled further speculation.
David stressed he never closely followed Kirk’s work and would never wish harm.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Kirk, 31,
died after being struck in the neck, prompting tributes nationwide. Donald Trump honored him as “The Great,
and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk.” David’s moment now highlights how confusion and assumptions can spread rapidly after tragedy.