An independent report reveals Utah Valley University failed to conduct a formal security assessment before the September 10, 2025 assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Although officials raised safety concerns about the outdoor courtyard venue, they deferred to Turning Point USA's insistence on the location. Charlie Kirk's family has issued a wrongful death notice, while university President Jon Anderson committed to implementing the report's safety recommendations.
Lack of formal security planning and coordination
- ▪An independent security review into Charlie Kirk's assassination, released Friday, found that Utah Valley University failed to conduct a formal security assessment or create a written event action plan for the September 10, 2025 Turning Point USA event
- ▪Utah Valley University Police Chief Jeff Long exchanged text messages with Turning Point Security Supervisor Dan Flood, but UVU and Turning Point USA's security teams failed to hold a face-to-face coordination meeting
- ▪An Associated Press review of the Charlie Kirk assassination found that Utah Valley University did not implement standard safety practices, including bag checks, metal detectors, or coordination with local law enforcement
Decision to use the outdoor courtyard venue
- ▪Utah Valley University officials expressed safety concerns about the outdoor Fountain Courtyard venue but ultimately deferred the final location decision to Turning Point USA
- ▪Turning Point USA representatives insisted on holding the September 10, 2025 event at Utah Valley University in the outdoor Fountain Courtyard because Charlie Kirk had previously used the space and was familiar with it
Ticketing and venue control
- ▪An independent after-action report prepared by the Lake Forest Group concluded that Utah Valley University should have retained decision-making authority over ticketing, venue selection, and access control
- ▪Utah Valley University allowed Turning Point USA to manage its own ticketing, which prevented university officials from obtaining reliable attendance projections to align security resources
Statements from the Utah Valley University President
- ▪Utah Valley University President Jon Anderson stated that the Lake Forest Group's independent report findings and recommendations will guide the university's continued safety efforts
- ▪Utah Valley University President Jon Anderson stated that the university has made meaningful progress in strengthening campus safety over the past year
Legal action by the Kirk family
- ▪The family of Charlie Kirk issued a wrongful death notice to Utah Valley University and the state of Utah, accusing officials of reckless decisions that left Charlie Kirk vulnerable
- ▪Kirk family attorney Brett Parkinson stated that Utah Valley University's security was woefully understaffed and that the university assumed responsibility for Charlie Kirk's safety
Debatable claims
- ▪Utah Valley University bears more responsibility for the security failures than Turning Point USA
- ▪Universities must retain final authority over venue and ticketing decisions for campus events
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