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 the crack of a gunshot.

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

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

Hickens is one of scores of people who had gathered to see Kirk, a leading conservative voice and prominent ally of P

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