‘I was 10 feet away when Charlie Kirk got shot – I | Political News

Utah Valley University scholar Jeb Jacobi was sitting in the third row of the stands just about 10 feet away from Charlie Kirk when he was fatally shot on Wednesday at a Turning Point USA event.

Jacobi, a 22-12 months-outdated communications major from Sudbury, Mass., and a longtime admirer of Kirk, was volunteering for Kirk’s crew before the talk, handing out flyers and hats. The UVU scholar even took a image with Kirk a 12 months after assembly him at a different event. Jacobi told the Daily Express US that he “never anticipated” such a tragedy to unfold and that his college would change into “the university where Charlie Kirk got killed.”

“I was standing on the third row of the right section of the courtyard just over there. I witnessed Charlie Kirk getting shot,” he said while on campus a day after the assassination. “Charlie Kirk was talking to a student about shootings, and, sure enough, Charlie Kirk picks up the mic, and I hear a loud bang.

“I look over to my left, I look over to my right, and I see Charlie Kirk collapse in his seat,” he recalled in horror. “I see blood all down his shirt, spewing from his neck, all over his arm, and he’s carried out. He’s dragged out.”

Jacobi said he initially thought it was a firecracker, but quickly realized it was far worse.

Now, he’s talking to family and friends, noting that some 150 people have messaged him to ask if he’s ok, and going to therapy to cope with the trauma.

However, he said that he doesn’t feel unsafe returning to the scene of the crime, though he acknowledges that some students do feel worried about their security after the shooting unfolded.

“I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t feel safe. As far as my safety, I feel pretty safe,” he said. “I know there are a lot of people in shock and pretty scared to come back to campus. I want to be considerate of them.”

He famous that the crime scene had been left fairly untouched, with college students’ backpacks still mendacity on the amphitheater steps and the tent under which Kirk sat still erected a day later. An investigation is still ongoing, and the suspect stays on the free.

Jacobi mirrored on how he was impressed by Kirk’s debate expertise and hopes his death conjures up people to have interaction in civil dialogue.

“I was inspired by the way [Kirk] was able to debate,” he said. “He was just able to reach out to millions of people, millions of people who were younger, involved in different youth movements… and different religious values, and I thought that was really special of him.

“[The U.S. is] in a state of turmoil,” he continued. “[Charlie’s assassination is] what some people would describe as a turning level in historical past, and I suppose it’s going to inspire people to need to converse out and share their concepts and debate more.”