Kirk family files wrongful-death notice alleging university security lapses
The family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk issued a wrongful-death notice accusing Utah Valley University and state officials of security failures that they say contributed to his fatal shooting on campus.
Attorneys for Charlie Kirk’s family have filed a wrongful-death notice that blames Utah Valley University and state officials for a series of security shortcomings surrounding the September 10, 2025 shooting that killed the 31-year-old activist. The notice, submitted a day before the one-year anniversary of the incident, alleges that inadequate police staffing, the absence of rooftop monitoring, and a lack of bag checks or metal detectors left Kirk vulnerable to a sniper who fired from more than 400 feet away during a public debate attended by roughly 3,000 people.
"The risk of a rooftop shooter should have been especially top-of-mind given the attempted assassination of President Trump, Charlie Kirk’s close friend and political ally, by a rooftop shooter the previous year," the notice reads, citing family attorney D. Loren Washburn.
The document names the university’s former president, Astrid Tuminez, campus police chief Jeffrey Long, and the state of Utah as parties that could be held liable. A university spokesperson said the institution is aware of the notice and will respond according to its standard procedures, while another spokesperson emphasized that the campus community remains the priority.
The notice also claims the university failed to conduct a proper risk assessment, did not establish a secure perimeter, and lacked immediate first-responder coverage, resulting in Kirk being taken to a hospital in a private vehicle rather than an ambulance. Police chief Long later said six officers staffed the event and coordinated with Kirk’s private security team, and the university announced plans to expand its police force.
The alleged shooter, Utah resident Tyler Robinson, turned himself in a day after the killing and faces aggravated murder charges that could carry the death penalty. Prosecutors have presented surveillance footage, DNA evidence linking Robinson to a rifle found near the scene, and a handwritten note to his partner indicating intent. A judge has ordered the case to move toward trial, though a date has not yet been set.
State law permits heirs or personal representatives of a deceased person to pursue civil actions for wrongful death, though the family’s notice does not detail the specific damages sought.