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Independent Review Finds UVU Security Inconsistencies in Kirk Assassination
Confirmed
In Short: An independent review of Utah Valley University's security measures ahead of Charlie Kirk's assassination found inconsistencies but no bad faith by UVU employees.
An independent review of Utah Valley University's (UVU) security measures ahead of Charlie Kirk's assassination found inconsistencies but no evidence of bad faith by UVU employees, according to a report released Friday.
The 157-page review, commissioned by UVU, identified 10 key findings that warrant attention as the university looks to strengthen campus safety. The review noted that UVU is a large and growing public university with a complex risk environment that includes large events, high-profile public speakers, protests, and more.
The report found that UVU deferred several key event-security decisions to Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization that hosted Kirk's event. It also noted that coordination with TPUSA’s security was limited, with no actual face-to-face contact or pre-event briefing activities occurring between UVU’s police chief and TPUSA’s security team.
The review highlighted that UVU lacked a formal security plan for the high-profile event where Kirk was killed. It also noted that the planning process did not include a documented line-of-sight assessment, despite TPUSA raising concerns about elevated vantage points around Kirk’s location.
Kirk was shot and killed at 12:23 p.m. on September 10, 2025, by a gunman who was captured on security footage running across the Losee Center roof and taking a prone position.
In response to the review, UVU said in a news release that proactive steps have been taken to learn from the event. The university will require documented security assessments and university review for major campus events and align emergency response and communication plans, among several additional improvements.
The Kirk family’s attorney, Brett Parkinson, said the report “reaffirms the facts we laid out in our notice of claim,” which put the university on notice that a lawsuit is forthcoming.
The review also noted that UVU police cleared the area about an hour before Kirk arrived on campus, but Lowe, a student, described the security around the event as 'fishy.' 'You could tell that officers were coming fast [after the shooting], but leading up to it, I feel like there was nothing,' Lowe said.
What's confirmed
- An independent review of Utah Valley University's (UVU) security measures ahead of Charlie Kirk's assassination found inconsistencies but no evidence of bad faith by UVU employees, according to a report released Friday.
- The 157-page review, commissioned by UVU, identified 10 key findings that warrant attention as the university looks to strengthen campus safety. The review noted that UVU is a large and growing public university with a complex risk environment that includes large events, high-profile public speakers, protests, and more.
- The report found that UVU deferred several key event-security decisions to Turning Point USA (TPUSA), the organization that hosted Kirk's event. It also noted that coordination with TPUSA’s security was limited, with no actual face-to-face contact or pre-event briefing activities occurring between UVU’s police chief and TPUSA’s security team.
- The review highlighted that UVU lacked a formal security plan for the high-profile event where Kirk was killed. It also noted that the planning process did not include a documented line-of-sight assessment, despite TPUSA raising concerns about elevated vantage points around Kirk’s location.
- Kirk was shot and killed at 12:23 p.m. on September 10, 2025, by a gunman who was captured on security footage running across the Losee Center roof and taking a prone position.
- In response to the review, UVU said in a news release that proactive steps have been taken to learn from the event. The university will require documented security assessments and university review for major campus events and align emergency response and communication plans, among several additional improvements.
- The Kirk family’s attorney, Brett Parkinson, said the report “reaffirms the facts we laid out in our notice of claim,” which put the university on notice that a lawsuit is forthcoming.
- The review also noted that UVU police cleared the area about an hour before Kirk arrived on campus, but Lowe, a student, described the security around the event as 'fishy.' 'You could tell that officers were coming fast [after the shooting], but leading up to it, I feel like there was nothing,' Lowe said.
What's still developing
- He watched from a balcony above the courtyard where Kirk spoke.
- Based on site visits, more than 70 interviews and a review of university policies, training materials, operational records, digital evidence and dispatch records, the review team came up with 10 “key findings” that identified those shortcomings and listed recommendations to improve them.
- A judge earlier this month ordered 23-year-old Tyler Robinson to stand trial for aggravated murder in Kirk’s death.
- Robinson, accused of using his grandfather’s hunting rifle to fatally shoot Kirk from a rooftop on the campus, has pleaded not guilty.
- “It is the opinion of the Project Team, based on our review of all available information, that at no time during the events leading up to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, or in its aftermath, did any employee or agent of UVU act in bad faith or in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others,” the review said.
- “Because the event was held on UVU’s campus, UVU should have retained decision-making authority over key security-related issues, including venue selection, ticketing, access control, and other conditions necessary to support campus safety,” the review said.
- On Sept. 8, 2025, TPUSA security raised concerns about the rooftop and outdoor pedestrian walkway above Kirk’s canopy, and UVU Police Chief Jeff Long said “we got you covered,” referencing the Hall of Flags walkway, according to the review.
- Messages between Long and TPUSA security showed the Hall of Flags walkway was the primary security focus, according to the review.