Security lapses at Utah campus where Charlie Kirk was killed, review says

Meanwhile, an independent review has pointed to a number of security shortcomings at the Utah campus where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead last year.

Key points

• The 31-year-old activist had been addressing thousands of individuals in an Orem campus courtyard when he was shot from a nearby rooftop on 10 September 2025.
• The family's lawyer, Brett Parkinson, remarked the independent report issued on Friday backed up the reservations raised by Kirk's loved ones.
• "The buck stopped with UVU leadership and law enforcement, " Parkinson remarked in an official note to the Associated Press.
• When asked for comment on the findings, Turning Point USA referred to Parkinson's statement.
• His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in connection with Kirk's death.

Meanwhile, the report remarked Utah Valley University (UVU) did not carry out a proper written security assessment nor prepare an event action plan, deferring key decision-making concerning the event to Kirk's conservative organisation Turning Point USA.

According to It additionally, kirk's aides had insisted on a outdoor venue, overriding security reservations from campus office-holders, who then failed to properly assess the dangers.

For context, the 31-year-old activist had been addressing thousands of individuals in an Orem campus courtyard when he was shot from a nearby rooftop on 10 September 2025.

Kirk's family remarked the report reinforced their worries regarding how the event was managed.

University authorities had triggered concern in August 2025 concerning holding the event at a location surrounded by tall buildings and had suggested alternative venues, including some indoors, the report, external – published by UVU – notes.

"But 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, " it adds.

Despite the "significant protective operations considerations", no line-of-sight assessment was documented in the planning process, the external consultants note.

They additionally identified shortcomings in the co-ordination between university police and Kirk's private security team.

Meanwhile, a proposed session between the university's police chief and Turning Point security shortly before the event did not take place, the report stated.

For context, 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 extra security measures.

Nevertheless, the review concluded that no university employee or representative had acted in bad faith or shown "willful and wanton disregard" for anyone's safety.

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.

For context, the family's lawyer, Brett Parkinson, remarked the independent report issued on Friday backed up the reservations raised by Kirk's loved ones.

"The buck stopped with UVU leadership and law enforcement, " Parkinson remarked in an official note to the Associated Press. "Justice for Charlie and his family requires true accountability for UVU's fatal shortcomings that day."

For context, the review makes numerous recommendations aimed at improving security for major campus events.

UVU President Jon Anderson remarked the university must "learn from the findings of this review, and follow through on its recommendations".

It has previously been documented that the campus police failed to conduct security procedures now common practice at high-profile events, including flying a drone to monitor rooftops or security screening like bag checks and metal detectors.

As part of a series of events throughout different university campuses, when he was shot in the neck shortly after noon, kirk had been debating UVU students regarding US mass shootings. He was rushed to hospital but afterwards pronounced dead.

His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in connection with Kirk's death. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Taken together, the developments around security lapses at Utah campus where Charlie Kirk was killed, review says point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.