The Final Question: Student Hunter Kozak Reflects on Charlie Kirk’s Last Moments
For one Utah Valley University student, the final seconds before tragedy struck are forever etched in memory.
Hunter Kozak, the student who asked Charlie Kirk the last question moments before the conservative commentator was fatally shot, has shared his account — offering a rare and deeply personal glimpse into the moments leading up to an act of violence that has captivated the nation.
A Campus Shattered
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative voice, was delivering remarks as part of his American Comeback tour on September 10 when a single shot struck him in the neck.
Reports indicate the bullet came from a nearby rooftop. Kirk collapsed mid-discussion, and chaos erupted as students scrambled for cover.
Authorities initially detained two suspects but later released them. Surveillance footage later revealed an individual leaping from a rooftop before disappearing, while law enforcement recovered a rifle and ammunition in nearby woodland. The shooter remains at large.
The Last Exchange
Hunter Kozak, who posed Kirk’s final question, reflected on the harrowing experience in an Instagram video. He recounted asking, “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been shooters over the last 10 years?” Kirk responded, “Too many,” eliciting applause from the audience. When Kozak followed up, clarifying that the number was five and asking about total mass shooters over the decade, Kirk’s chilling final words were: “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
NEW: Hunter Kozak, the man who was asking Charlie Kirk a question about trans mass shooters at the moment Kirk was shot has now come forward to express his condolences.
— Lori Spencer (@RealLoriSpencer) September 12, 2025
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Kozak described the past 24 hours as “rough,” acknowledging the surreal weight of having been part of the last interaction with Kirk.
Despite his prior criticism of some of Kirk’s statements regarding other incidents, Kozak condemned the violence and criticized those making insensitive remarks about Kirk’s death.
“First off, you sick f– psychos that think this is the answer, it’s not,” Kozak said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Personal Grief Intertwined
Kozak also shared a deeply personal perspective, noting the tragedy’s resonance with his own family: “Charlie had two kids and a wife, and not to make this about me, but I have two kids and a wife. It’s a tragedy and it’s hard to grapple with.” His words underscore the human cost of political violence, reminding the nation that beyond headlines are lives forever altered.
Conclusion
As the investigation continues, Kozak’s testimony offers a human lens on the final moments of Charlie Kirk’s life. Beyond the political debates and media coverage, his reflections ground the tragedy in reality,
showing how loss reverberates through families, communities, and individuals who were mere feet away. In a story often dominated by rhetoric, Kozak’s account is a sober reminder of the profound human toll behind the headlines.