The family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has accused Utah Valley University of failing to provide adequate security for the event where Kirk was fatally shot last year, after an independent review identified shortcomings in the university’s planning and coordination. Brett Parkinson, an attorney representing Kirk’s family, said the review supported the family’s earlier allegations that UVU security was understaffed and unprepared for the September 10, 2025 event.The university had commissioned the independent review to examine its planning, preparedness, response and recovery surrounding the shooting. The 158-page review identified gaps in security planning, communication and coordination, although it concluded that no UVU employee or agent had acted in bad faith or with willful and wanton disregard for safety.“This report reaffirms the facts we laid out in our Notice of Claim,” Parkinson said, arguing that UVU had assumed responsibility for the safety of those attending the event, including Kirk. He said the family was seeking accountability for what he described as UVU’s security shortcomings.
What did the UVU review find?
The review found that UVU had campus safety policies, personnel and resources but their implementation was inconsistent. It said the Kirk event did not have a comprehensive written security assessment or event action plan.Reviewers also found that there was no documented line-of-sight assessment and that security planning did not adequately address elevated vantage points, building access and other site-specific risks.The review said that a joint pre-event security briefing and walkthrough involving UVU police and Turning Point USA’s security team should have taken place but did not.The report also examined the decision to hold Kirk’s appearance outdoors. UVU staff had raised concerns about the fountain courtyard and suggested alternative venues, according to the review. Turning Point USA, which organized the event, requested that it remain outdoors.Another issue involved attendance estimates. TPUSA had initially projected about 600 attendees, but UVU later did not have access to reliable ticketing information because TPUSA preferred to manage its own ticketing. The review said this limited the university’s ability to obtain real-time information about crowd size.
Security concerns raised hours before shooting
The review said TPUSA’s security team had raised concerns about access to the elevated Hall of Flags walkway above the area where Kirk was scheduled to speak.On the morning of September 10, TPUSA security again raised concerns about people on the walkway. UVU police officers subsequently cleared the area and blocked it with police tape.UVU Police Chief Jeff Long proposed meeting with TPUSA security at 11 am on the walkway to discuss security arrangements, but the meeting did not take place, according to the review.Kirk was later shot while speaking at the university. His death triggered a continuing examination of security arrangements at the event.
UVU says review does not establish bad faith
While the report identified multiple areas requiring improvement, its authors explicitly said they found no evidence that a UVU employee or agent acted in bad faith or with willful and wanton disregard for safety.The university said the review found a need for more consistent implementation of existing safety policies, clearer responsibilities and stronger coordination during major events and emergencies.UVU has since created a new Chief Public Safety Officer position intended to coordinate campus police, emergency management, fire safety, and campus and event security. The university said it is also strengthening event security planning, training and coordination with outside law-enforcement agencies.The independent review was conducted by a consortium of experts from Robert L. Davis LLC, Doherty Advisory LLC, The Lake Forest Group and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. The team conducted more than 70 interviews and reviewed thousands of pages of university records, training materials, operational documents and communications.
