Kirk's family signals intent to sue, alleges 'stunning failures' led to assassination

Utah officials have been accused of failing to prevent the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a debate at Utah Valley University. Kirk's family released a wrongful death notice on September 9, 2025, one year after his death, blaming the university and its officials for reckless decisions that exposed Kirk to a rooftop sniper.

The university and its then-president, Astrid Tuminez, were named in the notice along with the campus police department and its chief, Jeffrey Long. Kirk was shot from over 400 feet away in an outdoor courtyard while debating students who numbered in the thousands. Notably, there were no bag checks, metal detectors, or a drone to monitor rooftops.

Kirk's family attorney, D. Loren Washburn, alleged that the university took no safety measures, such as conducting a risk assessment or establishing a secure perimeter, resulting in Kirk being left helpless before his assassin. The Utah Attorney General's Office declined to comment on potential litigation. Kirk's parents and widow attended subsequent hearings, and a suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder. Robinson allegedly left a note stating his intention to "take out Charlie Kirk."