Newly surfaced footage shows the moment Joe Rogan learned of Charlie Kirk’s assassination while recording episode 2379 of The Joe Rogan Experience alongside actor Charlie Sheen. The news broke near the end of their discussion, revealing that Kirk had been shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
Kirk, 31, was answering a question about mass shootings when a single bullet struck him in the neck. Panic swept through the crowd of roughly 3,000 attendees. Authorities later confirmed that the shot came from a rooftop overlooking the venue, and Kirk was pronounced dead shortly after.
Reacting live on camera, Rogan appeared visibly shaken and expressed deep concern about the state of political division in the U.S. “It’s a f***ed up time,” he said. Rogan recalled meeting Kirk once at a gun range and described him as “intelligent,” “reasonable,” and “not a violent guy,” regardless of whether people agreed with his views.
Charlie Sheen, visibly stunned, commented that being murdered for holding a different opinion was “insane.” Their reactions reflected a broader sense of shock, especially given the apparent lack of security at the Utah Valley University event. Witnesses noted there were no bag checks, metal detectors, or visible security personnel present.
Following the attack, the FBI released footage showing the suspected shooter fleeing the scene. Additional evidence collected included shoe prints, a palm print, a forearm imprint, and a bolt-action rifle with ammunition found in a wooded area nearby. All signs pointed to a premeditated act.
By the morning of September 12, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson had been arrested. Authorities were tipped off by a family member who said Robinson had confessed or strongly implied his involvement. The case now enters its legal phase, as political and cultural fallout continues nationwide.