UVU review finds security lapses in Charlie Kirk shooting

September 26, 2026 at 08:12 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

An independent review found Utah Valley University failed to conduct a written security assessment or event action plan before conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead on campus on September 10, 2025. Kirk's aides overrode campus security concerns to hold the event outdoors, and no line-of-sight assessment was documented. The review concluded no university employee acted in bad faith.

Key Facts

Utah Valley University did not carry out a written security assessment or prepare an event action plan for Charlie Kirk's event.
Kirk was shot from a nearby rooftop while addressing about 3,000 people in an Orem campus courtyard on September 10, 2025.
Turning Point USA representatives insisted on the courtyard venue despite university officials' concerns raised in August 2025.
Kirk's family has filed a wrongful-death notice, a step that can precede legal action against the university.

Security Planning Failures

The independent review found that Utah Valley University did not carry out a proper written security assessment nor prepare an event action plan for the event. Key decision-making about the event was deferred to Kirk's conservative organisation Turning Point USA. University officials had raised concerns in August 2025 about holding the event at a location surrounded by tall buildings and had suggested alternative venues, including some indoors. A Turning Point representative insisted that Kirk speak at a campus courtyard because he had been there previously and the organisation was familiar with the location. Despite the significant protective operations considerations, no line-of-sight assessment was documented in the planning process.

Coordination Gaps

The reviewers identified shortcomings in the co-ordination between university police and Kirk's private security team. A proposed meeting between the university's police chief and Turning Point security shortly before the event did not take place. The reviewers described the absence of a joint security briefing and walk-through as a missed opportunity to have identified risks, clarified responsibilities and considered additional security measures. The review concluded that no university employee or representative had acted in bad faith or shown willful and wanton disregard for anyone's safety.

Family Response and Recommendations

Kirk's family has previously accused the university of serious security failures and has filed a wrongful-death notice, a step that can precede legal action. The family's lawyer, Brett Parkinson, said the independent report released on Friday backed up the concerns raised by Kirk's loved ones. Parkinson said in a statement to the Associated Press that the buck stopped with UVU leadership and law enforcement. When asked for comment on the findings, Turning Point USA referred to Parkinson's statement. The review makes numerous recommendations aimed at improving security for major campus events.