Kirk family files claim alleging university security failures in campus shooting
The estate of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has filed a notice of claim asserting that Utah Valley University neglected proper risk assessments and security measures, leading to his fatal shooting at a campus event.
The estate of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, has filed a notice of claim alleging that Utah Valley University (UVU) failed to implement adequate security and risk-assessment procedures before his September 10, 2025, speaking engagement, which ended in his death by a rooftop shooter. The claim, filed by the family’s counsel, asserts that UVU ignored a tip about roof access, assigned insufficient police resources, and did not monitor surveillance footage in real time, creating a “foreseeable danger” for Kirk.
According to the filing, six campus police officers were present, but the university did not conduct a “meaningful risk assessment” for the outdoor venue, nor did it secure nearby rooftops despite a warning from Turning Point USA. The shooter fired from the roof of the Losee Center, approximately 415 feet from Kirk’s podium.
"Through a series of stunning failures and reckless decisions, the UVU Parties created a foreseeable danger to Charlie," the notice states.
Brett Parkinson, representing the Kirk family, said the murder was preventable and that the claim preserves the family’s right to pursue accountability. UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long acknowledged coordination with Kirk’s private security team and said six officers, including plain-clothes personnel, were assigned, but admitted the university “didn’t cover all the bases.”
UVU has announced an independent third-party review of the incident and pledged to incorporate its findings into future safety practices across Utah’s higher-education institutions.