Utah campus security review reveals lapses in Charlie Kirk shooting

An independent review has identified significant security failures at Utah Valley University (UVU) surrounding the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025. Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was shot from a nearby rooftop while speaking at an outdoor courtyard event in Orem, Utah.

The report highlights that UVU failed to conduct a formal written risk assessment or establish an Event Action Plan to define security responsibilities and emergency procedures. Investigators noted that while university officials had expressed concerns regarding the outdoor location and surrounding tall buildings, Turning Point USA representatives insisted on the courtyard venue.

Furthermore, the review found a lack of coordination between campus police and Kirk’s private security team. A planned meeting and site walkthrough between the university’s police chief and Turning Point security did not occur. The consultants noted that no formal line-of-sight assessment was documented, which could have identified the rooftop danger. While the report cites these shortcomings, it concluded that no university employees acted in bad faith or with willful disregard for safety.