Brian Harpole, who headed Charlie Kirk’s security detail the day the conservative activist was killed, has spoken out to dismiss claims that his team used “suspicious” hand signals moments before the fatal shooting.
Harpole told podcaster Shawn Ryan that his team relied on clear communications, not subtle gestures that could be misinterpreted.
“The idea that someone was signaling something with a hat adjustment is just ridiculous,” Harpole said.
“If we needed to relay a message, we’d do it over comms. We weren’t signaling anything that day.”
Ordinary Movements Misread as Clues
The controversy started when eagle-eyed viewers noticed two men standing behind Kirk.
One appeared to adjust his hat while holding a phone, and the other moved his arms and glanced around.
Some on social media spun these motions into elaborate theories about premeditated signals.
Harpole was baffled. “Everyone touches their hat, everyone moves, everyone shifts.
The conspiracies focusing on my guys are absurd,” he said.
“Frank Turek was just adjusting his hat. That’s it.”
He emphasized that if any team member had actually used a hand signal, the rest of the team would have simply looked at him, confused.
“It’s not good communication,” Harpole explained.
Harpole Criticizes Theories Targeting Kirk’s Wife
Some online speculation went even further, implicating Erika Kirk in her husband’s death.
Harpole was scathing. “She’s a victim. That’s her husband.
For people without proof to say she’s responsible… it’s infuriating.
It makes you lose faith in human decency.”
Despite his frustration with conspiracy theories, Harpole admitted he personally struggled with what he saw and read surrounding the shooting.
“I didn’t trust my eyes, my ears, or what I was watching,” he said.
“So much has been sensationalized that it makes finding the truth nearly impossible.”
The Shooting That Shook Utah
Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University.
He had just begun a Q&A session with thousands of students and supporters when the gunfire erupted.
Security quickly rushed him from the stage, and he was pronounced dead at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem.
Within hours, videos, photos, and eyewitness accounts flooded social media.
Many users dissected every frame, spinning theories ranging from secret hand signals to claims that the gunshot was actually an explosion.
Authorities Urge Calm and Patience
Law enforcement agencies have warned the public not to trust social media speculation.
So far, there is no verified evidence connecting any security personnel to the attack, and investigators have not named either of the men seen in videos behind Kirk as suspects.
Tyler Robinson, 22, was later arrested and charged with the murder of Kirk.
Investigators have emphasized the importance of official updates rather than drawing conclusions from unverified online content.
A Nation Reacts to Kirk’s Death
Kirk’s assassination has resonated deeply with conservatives.
A close ally of former President Donald Trump, Kirk worked to influence young voters and steer them toward conservative politics.
Trump has publicly called Kirk a “martyr” and criticized the “radical left,” while also presenting Kirk’s widow, Erika, with the Medal of Freedom in October.
Harpole reflected on the ongoing debates surrounding the tragedy.
“People are passionate, people want answers.
But creating narratives without evidence doesn’t help anyone,” he said.
“We owe it to Charlie to focus on facts, not fantasy.”
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