The mystery bearded man seen in a viral video after Charlie Kirk’s assassination says he was not cheering the tragedy.
Instead, he claims he shouted “USA” to create a distraction and help calm the crowd at Utah Valley University.
His Statement
A man identifying himself only as “David” posted a two-minute video on X explaining his actions.
He said he was the man in the tan-colored backwards cap seen in the viral footage.
“When I heard a sharp crack, at first I thought it might have been fireworks or a disruptive prank,” he said.
When no smoke appeared, he realized it was a firearm.
David said a friend quickly told him Kirk had been gravely injured.
— David (@RtothepowerofX) September 12, 2025
He claimed he checked the security team’s movements before deciding how to respond.
“I stood and shouted ‘USA,’ not as a provocation, but to project strength, encourage others, and create a distraction that might help calm panic or even save lives,” he said.
The man insisted he was only minimally aware of Kirk’s work.
He added that he “would never wish to celebrate harm to anyone.”
His monotone delivery and darting eyes led some to believe he was reading from a script.
Follow-Up Video
Later, David posted a second video that drew even more attention.
In it, he called himself “the happiest person you ever met in your entire life.”
— David (@RtothepowerofX) September 12, 2025
He said he was sick of “my soldiers, including Charlie, dying so you guys can mock each other.”
David accused commentators on both the left and right of fueling division.
“This is John Oliver. This is Matt Walsh. This is ‘Louder with Crowder,’” he said.
“Mockery on both sides of the equation is killing my soldiers, my people.”
Questions Remain
His explanation has done little to change the outrage sparked by the original video.
For many, the footage remains a disturbing moment in the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination.
