OREM, Utah (AP) — A report released by Utah Valley University details security deficiencies related to the assassination of Charlie Kirk last year. The report states that Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, insisted on an outdoor speaking engagement despite security concerns, while the university failed to adequately assess potential dangers, such as the risk of a rooftop shooter.
The independent review, published on September 25, 2026, evaluated security protocols for Kirk's talk on September 10, 2025. Investigators reviewed discussions between Turning Point and university officials, as well as the university's response to the shooting incident.
According to the report, the university did not perform a formal security assessment, lacked a written event action plan, and deferred critical decision-making to Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot by a sniper positioned over 400 feet (122 meters) away while he was debating students in an outdoor courtyard with several thousand attendees.
Kirk's family has filed a wrongful death notice to Utah officials, alleging that the university's decisions were "reckless" and left Kirk vulnerable to the sniper. The report indicates that a representative from Turning Point insisted on the courtyard location due to familiarity, despite concerns from some university officials regarding the outdoor setting surrounded by tall buildings.
The report concluded that the decisions made during the planning process were significant, noting that the outdoor venue created substantial protective operation considerations. It highlighted the absence of a documented line-of-sight assessment, pre-event briefing, or coordination with the speaker's private security team and local law enforcement.
Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident, surrendered to authorities the day after the shooting. Prosecutors allege he expressed dissatisfaction with Kirk's views to his partner before the incident. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, which could lead to the death penalty if he is convicted. A judge has ordered the case to proceed to trial, with a date yet to be determined.
An Associated Press review indicated that the university did not implement several public safety measures that are now standard at similar events across the country. The campus police staffing was below recommended levels for its size, and there was no use of drones to monitor rooftops or coordination with local law enforcement for the event attended by approximately 3,000 people. Additionally, there were no bag checks or metal detectors in place.