The tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot in the neck during a public event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, has sparked widespread debate and investigation.
Among the many questions raised is whether the shot was the work of a professional marksman.
A former U.S. Marine sniper has weighed in with his expert opinion on the shot's execution, questioning the shooter’s training and intent.
Was the Shot Professionally Executed?
In an interview shared on TikTok, former U.S. Marine sniper Justin Governale explained why he believes the shot that killed Kirk was not made by a professional marksman.
"I do not believe it was a professionally trained shot," Governale stated bluntly, citing the unusual shot placement. He noted that during his sniper training, targeting the neck was never emphasized.
“At no point in my sniper training was I taught to aim for the neck,” Governale said. He explained that the shot's placement, while fatal, was not ideal for quick incapacitation — a key goal of professional snipers aiming to disable their target immediately.
The neck shot, though causing fatal damage, is not the most effective method for ensuring an immediate and decisive takedown, according to Governale. "This is viable in terms of mortality, but not for immediate incapacitation," he added.
Shot Placement and Conditions
Governale also questioned whether the angle and distance of the shot could have played a role. Despite arguments suggesting that the angle from which the shot was fired would make the neck a viable target, Governale was skeptical.
He explained that a sniper trained for professional situations would not find the angle and conditions problematic. “In the Marine Corps, I can literally say, do I want to hit the left nostril or the right nostril?” Governale emphasized that shot accuracy at relatively short distances, such as 200 yards, would not have been affected by a small angle.
“If they were trained professionally, they would have zeroed their rifle or at least gotten the data. The shot placement seems off,” he said.
The Shooter’s Position and Exposure
In a rare video, the shooter was shown in broad daylight on a rooftop — a position Governale described as a major giveaway for an untrained marksman. He pointed out that experienced snipers would avoid exposing themselves in such a glaring position.
“When you set up a sniper position, a sniper hide, what's the most obvious spot that you're a sniper?” Governale asked rhetorically. “If you have no training, you're silhouetting on a rooftop.”
A trained sniper would typically seek cover and avoid such exposure. Governale suggested the shooter should have positioned themselves in a shaded area, reducing their profile and avoiding being spotted. A professional would have known to plan an escape route and to take shots from concealed, well-covered positions.
Governale's assessment is clear: The person who shot Charlie Kirk was likely not a trained sniper. The unprofessional shot placement, combined with the shooter’s exposed position, suggests that the shooting was executed by someone without the extensive training and tactical knowledge expected of a professional marksman.
“The moment you reveal yourself — it’s called a ‘target indicator’ in the Marine Corps,” Governale said, explaining that a sniper’s job is to stay hidden and avoid drawing attention. "Anything a sniper does or fails to do which reveals your position or equipment to the enemy, that's a huge mistake."
In summary, Governale believes the shooting was neither executed by a professional sniper nor carried out with the expertise one might expect from a trained marksman. The shot’s placement and the shooter’s exposure indicate a lack of understanding of proper sniper protocol.
As the investigation into Kirk’s assassination continues, the mystery surrounding the shooter’s identity and background remains a key point of interest.