Topics: Charlie Kirk, Politics, US News, World News, Crime, Police
A high profile security expert has claimed he warned Charlie Kirk that he was vulnerable to danger at public speaking events, just six months before his assassination.
The 31-year-old right wing activist and influencer was fatally shot while speaking at a debate hosted by Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University on Wednesday (10 September).
He was in the middle of answering a question from a student about mass shootings, when a single shot was fired through his neck.
Today (12 September), US president Donald Trump confirmed they had a possible suspect in custody.
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He told Fox News: "I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody."
He added that the suspect is '28 or 29' and 'someone very close' to him turned him in. The suspect's father allegedly helped convince him to hand himself in to police.
Trump added that he hoped Kirk's killer would be sentenced to death.
As the murder has gained worldwide attention, questions have since been raised about the level of security that was present at the venue, and how a shooter managed to get inside and carry out the horrific act.
The BBC has reported that it's not been confirmed how many people were working the event as private security for Kirk, however videos appear to show between five and seven security guards surrounding him on the stage.
There were around 3,000 people at the event and Kirk is often seen up-close to his fans, as he liked to debate with people at events like this.
And now, a California-based security expert has come forward and revealed to MailOnline that he discussed safety measures with the podcaster, just months before his killing.
The publication has reported that Kris Herzog, owner of The Bodyguard Group of Beverly Hills, spoke with Kirk during a rally at California State University on March 6.
Herzog chillingly claims he warned the ally of Donald Trump that he needed to up his security measures, or he would '100 percent be killed at one of his upcoming university speaking events'.
And despite Kirk promising he would consider the expert's recommendations and follow up with a phone call, it never ended up happening.
Herzog told the Daily Mail: "Sadly he never got back to me and now my prediction of his murder has come true."
Going into the details, the security pro told the outlet: "I told him that a sniper would probably go for a headshot, which means it was of critical importance to have the ballistic glass."
Herzog is referring to B7 level ballistic bulletproof glass panels, which are designed to withstand high-velocity rifle rounds.
He continued: "We recommended using metal detectors and handheld wands to screen everyone for a gun within 700 hundred feet of where Charlie would be speaking."
On top of this, Herzog claims he told Kirk to employ off-duty police officers to be present at his events, with the specific aim of monitoring all potential sniper vantage points.
He said staff who work for him had urged him to get back in touch with Kirk earlier this year, as his presence was growing on social media.
Adding that 'everyone' in his group 'felt that his security was not even close to what it should be and he was in grave danger of being shot and killed at one of his upcoming events'.
Now, the security expert says he is haunted by the fact that the recommendations were never discussed further and put in place.
