Charlie Kirk shooting witnesses describe few security measures at event

Justin Hickens says he was standing about 20 yards from Charlie Kirk as the influential conservative activist addressed a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Justin Hickens says he was standing about 20 yards from Charlie Kirk as the influential conservative activist addressed a large crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Then, in the middle of Kirk’s remarks, Hickens heard "a big loud shot.”

“I saw a bunch of blood come out of Charlie," Hickens told NBC News’ Tom Llamas. "I saw his body kind of kick back and go limp, and everybody dropped to the ground.”

When people realized Kirk had been shot, they started running from the outdoor pavilion area, some knocking over barricades as they fled, Hickens said.

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Hickens is one of scores of people who had gathered to see Kirk, a leading conservative voice and prominent ally of President Donald Trump and who regularly held events on high school and college campuses.