Charlie Kirk's family says officials failed to protect him before attack
The family of slain podcaster Charlie Kirk has blamed officials at the university campus where he was killed for his death.
The family of Charlie Kirk, a slain conservative podcaster, has blamed Utah officials for failing to protect him before his death. Kirk, 31, was shot dead by a rooftop sniper while debating students in an outdoor courtyard on September 10, 2025. The wrongful death notice filed on the one-year anniversary of the shooting alleges negligence by Utah Valley University, campus police department, and the state of Utah.
The notice argues that the university's campus setup, which surrounded the courtyard with tall buildings and other elevated observations, put Kirk in a "fishbowl" and walked him into a foreseeable danger. Campus police staffing was below recommended levels, drones were not used to monitor rooftops, and there were no bag checks, metal detectors, or first responders immediately available.
The notice names the university, its president, the campus police department, its chief, and the state of Utah as responsible parties. The shooter, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty and faces seven charges, including aggravated murder. A trial is scheduled for October 23. Kirk's widow, Erika, has been elected CEO of Turning Point USA.
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