Independent Review Details Security Failures at Utah Campus Where Charlie Kirk Was Killed

An independent review has identified significant security shortcomings at Utah Valley University (UVU) where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed last year.

The report found that UVU failed to conduct a proper written security assessment or develop an event action plan, instead deferring critical planning decisions to Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA (TPUSA).

According to the findings, TPUSA aides insisted on using an outdoor courtyard despite security concerns raised by campus officials, who subsequently failed to adequately evaluate the associated risks. The 31-year-old activist was addressing thousands of attendees in the Orem campus courtyard on September 10, 2025, when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop.

Kirk’s family stated that the report reinforces their concerns regarding the event’s management.

University officials had expressed reservations in August 2025 about the courtyard location, which is surrounded by tall buildings, and proposed alternative indoor venues. However, a Turning Point representative insisted on the courtyard, citing familiarity with the site from a previous visit.

Despite the significant protective considerations posed by the surrounding structures, the review notes that no line-of-sight assessment was documented during the planning process.

The consultants also highlighted coordination failures between university police and Kirk’s private security detail. A scheduled pre-event meeting between the university police chief and TPUSA security personnel did not occur, representing a missed opportunity to identify risks, clarify responsibilities, and implement additional safeguards.

Nevertheless, the review concluded that no university employee or representative acted in bad faith or demonstrated “willful and wanton disregard” for anyone’s safety.

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