Security lapses at Utah campus where Charlie Kirk was killed, review says
The indpendent report also says Kirk's aides insisted he speak outdoors, overriding concerns from campus officials.
An independent review has identified several security shortcomings at the Utah campus where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was tragically killed last September. The report revealed that Utah Valley University (UVU) failed to conduct a thorough written security assessment or create an event action plan, instead relying on Kirk's conservative organization, Turning Point USA, to make critical decisions.
Campus officials had expressed concerns about holding the event at a venue surrounded by tall buildings, suggesting alternative indoor locations. However, Turning Point USA insisted on the outdoor courtyard, despite the potential dangers. On the day of the shooting, Kirk's aides insisted on the outdoor venue, overriding the security concerns raised by UVU officials, who failed to properly evaluate the risks.
The outdoor setting and the absence of a line-of-sight assessment, as well as the lack of coordination between university police and Turning Point's private security team, were identified as significant issues. Despite these lapses, the review concluded that no university employee or representative acted with bad faith or willful disregard for anyone's safety.
Kirk's family, who have accused UVU of security failures, filed a wrongful-death notice, a step that can lead to legal action. The family's lawyer, Brett Parkinson, stated that the independent report supports their concerns and emphasized the need for accountability from UVU leadership and law enforcement. Turning Point USA has acknowledged the report's findings and referred to Parker's statement.
UVU President Jon Anderson committed to learning from the review and implementing its recommendations. The university had previously been criticized for not implementing standard security procedures at high-profile events, such as using drones for rooftop monitoring or conducting bag checks and metal detector screenings. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in connection with Kirk's death, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
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