A neuroscientist has explained whether Charlie Kirk knew he had been shot during the brutal attack in Utah. The 31-year-old conservative activist was fatally struck in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Neuropsychologist Derek Van Schaik analyzed the viral footage and shared his findings. “He was conscious for no more than four-tenths of a second after impact,” he said. “Far too fast for his brain to even register what happened.”

The expert explained that Kirk’s death was essentially instant. “No panic, no dread, no realization that he was about to die,” Van Schaik noted. “Only an abrupt blackout. He absolutely did not know he was shot.”

Kirk, a father of two, was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is expected to be formally charged with murder.

Does it bring comfort to know Kirk likely felt no pain, or does the tragedy still feel unbearably heavy?