It’s been over two months since conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a public event in Utah, and while the investigation into his death continues, the internet has exploded with conspiracy theories — some of which are now being directly addressed by those who were closest to the scene.
Brian Harpole, the former head of Kirk’s security detail, recently appeared on The Shawn Ryan Show to break his silence and push back against a flood of rumors that have surfaced online. Harpole led Kirk’s protection team the day the 31-year-old Turning Point USA founder was shot and killed during a student Q&A session on September 10. As thousands watched in person and online, a gunman allegedly opened fire, striking Kirk in the neck. He later died at a nearby hospital.
In the wake of the shocking event, social media lit up with amateur video breakdowns, frame-by-frame analyses, and bold claims about what “really happened.” Among the most viral theories was the idea that Kirk’s own security team had allegedly used “suspicious” hand signals moments before the shot rang out — suggesting, without evidence, that they may have had prior knowledge of the attack.
But Harpole says that theory just doesn’t add up.
He explained that his team didn’t use hand signals at all, saying any communication would’ve happened over earpieces — not through gestures. “If we needed to relay a message, then we’d [say it] on comms,” he told Ryan, adding that any movement that looked like someone adjusting a hat or rolling up sleeves wasn’t some secret signal, just normal behavior.
Harpole even joked about how absurd some of the speculation has become. “We’re not gonna use a hand signal that can be confused with a man scratching his a**,” he said.
One particular guard, Frank Turek, came under scrutiny online after video showed him adjusting his hat shortly before the shooting. But Harpole dismissed the idea that this was a signal of any kind. “So he touched his hat,” he said. “There were a line of people in the front and other people that did all kinda things, everybody’s subject to that.”
Still, Harpole admitted he’s struggling with his own feelings about the day. “I did not trust my own eyes, ears, what I was reading, what I was watching,” he said, noting how quickly information got twisted after the attack. While he doesn’t buy into the more extreme theories, like the one that allegedly blamed Kirk’s wife Erika, he acknowledged that the chaos and the speed of speculation made the search for truth much harder. “A lot of people have sensationalized this, and that is a real shame,” he said. “It makes it impossible to find the truth.”
Despite public interest in what really happened, law enforcement has urged people to rely on official updates instead of viral videos. According to police, Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with Kirk’s murder. Authorities have not tied anyone from Kirk’s team to the incident, and no evidence has been released suggesting the involvement of security staff or family members.
Still, the theories persist. Online posts continue to question everything from body language to camera angles. One popular thread on X asked why two security team members appeared to move “immediately before the shot,” and some claimed they stood perfectly aligned with the bullet’s trajectory. But again, investigators have not confirmed any link, and neither of the individuals in question has been identified by police as a suspect.
The tragedy struck deep within the conservative movement. Kirk, a strong ally of President Donald Trump and a major force behind youth voter outreach for the GOP, had spent years working to reshape American politics. Following his death, President Trump honored Kirk by awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to his widow, Erika, in October. Calling Kirk a “martyr for freedom,” Trump promised to press forward with the ideals Kirk championed, including free speech, religious liberty, and limited government.
Kirk’s death, while still officially under investigation, has created a moment of reflection and rallying within conservative circles. His supporters are determined to push his legacy forward — even as the internet continues to stir doubt and speculation.
For now, authorities continue to collect evidence, and those closest to Kirk are urging Americans to focus on facts, not fear.
