An independent report released on September 26, 2026, found that Utah Valley University (UVU) lacked a comprehensive security plan and failed to adhere to its own guidelines during the September 10, 2025, assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). The 158-page review concluded that no university personnel acted in bad faith regarding safety, but it highlighted several decisions that raised concerns about event security.
The report noted that the event featured a high-profile speaker, anticipated protests, and an outdoor setting with elevated vantage points, which warranted a more formal security planning process. Investigators pointed out that while some coordination occurred among university stakeholders, the event lacked a comprehensive written Security Assessment or Event Action Plan.
The outdoor location was surrounded by buildings and pedestrian routes, making various security measures crucial, including line-of-sight assessments and crowd control. Although some concerns were acknowledged by university personnel, critical measures such as a pre-event briefing and structured walk-throughs were not included in the planning process.
Initially, only three university law enforcement officers were assigned to secure the event, which attracted several thousand attendees. This number was later increased to six when the university policy chief recognized the crowd size. The report indicated that the university deferred key decisions, including the event location, to TPUSA staff, despite expressing concerns about the outdoor setting.
The Kirk family has issued a wrongful death notice to the university, indicating a potential lawsuit, claiming that the university's lack of emergency responders contributed to Kirk's death. Family attorney Brett Parkinson stated that accountability for the university's shortcomings is necessary for justice.
Utah Valley University President Jon Anderson acknowledged the need to learn from the report's findings and stated that the university has made progress in enhancing campus safety over the past year.