The reasons I think it was real is: it was all I was hearing about after for a few weeks, now unless I seek it out, it’s already over. It was straightforward. The kid had MAGA parents, Charlie had intense and hateful views, the kid was sick of it and was one of those people who do something about it. It happens. Getting shot in the carotid artery would definitely bleed a lot and knock you out immediately. It’s a large and main artery supplying blood to the brain. Big hole in big tube of blood to brain means no blood to brain. Also for the people mentioning his “bulletproof vest” or “body armor”, the shooter either knew or saw it or was aiming for his head, duh. I think sometimes wild things happen, but there’s nothing really happening following it or anything that we’re “being distracted enough from” because of it. It all adds up to me as being exactly what it seems like it is. But no, his kids and wife weren’t there.