In brief
A court‑ordered review criticised Utah Valley University for a series of security missteps when it hosted activist Charlie Kirk in September 2025. The report found that the university failed to carry out a proper written security assessment or develop an event action plan, leaving key decisions to Turning Point USA and the speaker’s aides. University officials had urged caution, citing the elevated nature of the courtyard, yet the decision to use the outdoor venue was overruled. Coordination between UVU police and private security was found lax – a meeting between the police chief and Turning Point’s security was missed, and a joint briefing was never held. While the report absolved staff of bad faith, it urges UVU to adopt comprehensive security protocols for all large campus events.
An independent review released on Friday found that Utah Valley University (UVU) failed to conduct required security procedures when it allowed conservative activist Charlie Kirk to speak on campus in September 2025. The report highlights a lack of written security assessments, no event action plan, and the decision to hold the event outdoors against university officials’ advice that the courtyard’s tall surrounding buildings posed a risk.
Key Findings
- UVU did not perform a written security assessment nor prepare a formal event action plan.
- Kirk’s aides insisted on the courtyard venue, overriding security concerns raised in August.
- No documented line‑of‑sight assessment was made, despite significant protective operations considerations.
- Coordination between UVU police and Kirk’s private security team was insufficient; a pre‑event meeting between the police chief and Turning Point security did not occur.
- A joint briefing and walk‑through, deemed a missed opportunity to identify risks, was absent.
The review concluded that no UVU employee acted with bad faith or willful disregard for safety, but it called for the university to adopt comprehensive protocols for large campus events, including site‑specific line‑of‑sight checks and coordination with private security.
Kirk was shot from a nearby rooftop while addressing around 3,000 people midday on 10 September. He was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead. His alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Family lawyer Brett Parkinson said the report “reinforces the concerns that the family has raised for years” and called for full accountability. UVU President Jon Anderson pledged to learn from the findings and implement recommendations.
The review’s recommendations include: detailed security planning for each event, high‑profile event drills, use of drones or security screening devices, and tighter collaboration between university and private security teams.
For further context, see the full review report and the family’s filed wrongful‑death claim.
