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Three key questions answered by neuroscientist after Charlie Kirk assassination: Including why he raised his arms
The tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, on September 10, 2025, shocked the world.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck while addressing a crowd of around 3,000 at Utah Valley University.
His last moments were captured in distressing footage, sparking widespread public interest and speculation.
In the wake of his death, neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik has provided insight into the event, answering key questions regarding Kirk’s physical and psychological responses to the shooting.
1. Why Did Charlie Kirk Raise His Arms After He Was Shot?
One of the most striking moments captured in the footage was Kirk’s arms rising toward his neck immediately after being struck. This movement puzzled many viewers, prompting speculation about a phenomenon known as "decorticate posturing." However, neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik clarified this theory.
“Decorticate posturing occurs when higher brain areas like the cerebral hemispheres are badly damaged, cutting off voluntary motor control,” explained Van Schaik. “However, that’s unlikely in this case.” He noted that decorticate posturing typically results from severe brain damage, which does not align with the way Kirk's body reacted.
Van Schaik explained that the arms' movement was an "instant involuntary defensive reflex," similar to the quick, automatic motion a person makes when startled or scared. In this instance, Kirk’s body reacted instinctively, raising his arms in an effort to protect himself.
2. Was Charlie Kirk Aware That He Had Been Shot?
Another question raised by many was whether Kirk realized he had been shot before he lost consciousness. Van Schaik explained that, due to the catastrophic nature of the wound, Kirk had no time to process the injury.
"When someone suffers a catastrophic wound to the neck that destroys a carotid artery and jugular vein, the mind only has a fleeting window to possibly register what happened," Van Schaik noted. After analyzing the footage, he found that Kirk remained conscious for no more than four-tenths of a second after the impact of the shot.
Van Schaik further explained that in such rapid situations, the brain does not have enough time to register the injury or respond to it. "No panic, no dread, no realization that he was about to die," he said. “It was neurologically impossible for him to psychologically realize anything was wrong at all.” The immediate loss of consciousness meant that Kirk did not have the chance to experience any emotional awareness or fear related to the attack.
3. Did Charlie Kirk Experience Any Pain Before He Died?
Pain is another crucial aspect of the event. Given the severity of the wound, many wondered whether Kirk felt any pain before losing consciousness.
According to Van Schaik, pain would have registered in Kirk’s body within just 100 milliseconds, as the neck is close to the brain and spinal cord. However, because Kirk blacked out so quickly, his brain never had the time to process that raw signal as pain.
“He absolutely did not know he was shot,” Van Schaik confirmed. “His death was essentially instant.” While the body might register pain within milliseconds, the brain’s inability to process it due to the rapid loss of consciousness means that Kirk did not experience any awareness of the pain or injury.
While the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk has raised many questions, the insights provided by neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik help explain the physical and neurological responses to the shooting.
Kirk’s body reacted reflexively, but he did not have the chance to experience pain, panic, or any awareness of the injury before losing consciousness.
His death was essentially instantaneous, offering little to no psychological experience of the attack itself.