An independent 158-page review of the Sept. 10, 2025 shooting that killed Charlie Kirk identifies multiple security gaps at Utah Valley University linked to an outdoor event requested by Turning Point USA. The report says UVU's open-access campus layout complicated protective measures and found shortcomings in threat monitoring and information sharing. It recommends hiring a police sergeant for campus events and creating clear criteria for moving gatherings indoors; Kirk's family has urged accountability, citing a prior tip about rooftop access risks.
Independent Review Identifies Security Failings at Utah Valley University After Charlie Kirk's Killing
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his "American Comeback Tour" that day when he was shot and killed. (Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
An independent, 158-page review of the September 10, 2025 shooting that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk concludes multiple actions, omissions and institutional practices at Utah Valley University (UVU) warrant attention as the campus strengthens event security.
Kirk, 31, was killed while speaking at a Turning Point USA event on the UVU campus in Orem, Utah. The attack occurred during his "American Comeback Tour" and reverberated across social media, conservative political circles and college campuses nationwide.
Key Findings
The report highlights that Turning Point USA insisted the appearance be held outdoors, which produced "significant" protective challenges. The speaking area was in an open-access campus environment surrounded by buildings, elevated areas, pedestrian routes and multiple vantage points. According to the review, these conditions complicated line-of-sight assessments, elevated-position reviews, building access control, arrival and departure planning, crowd control, protest management and fixed-post assignments.
"At no time during the events leading up to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, or in its aftermath, did any employee or agent of UVU act in bad faith or in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others."
Shortcomings and Recommendations
Although the review did not find evidence of bad faith by UVU employees, it identified important gaps in the university's threat-monitoring and information-sharing capabilities. Investigators said existing resources "did not fully meet the need for focused investigations of specific threats or concerning behavior." To address these shortfalls, the review recommends:
- Hiring a police sergeant dedicated to managing campus events.
- Establishing clear criteria for when gatherings must be moved indoors.
- Improving threat-monitoring, information-sharing and investigative processes related to specific tips or credible concerns.
Responses From The Family And University
Brett Parkinson, attorney for Kirk's family, told Newsweek the report "reaffirms the facts we laid out in our Notice of Claim: that UVU security was woefully understaffed and unprepared to manage the obvious risks associated with an event of this nature." The family has also said state officials failed to prevent the killing despite a prior "specific tip" about rooftop access risks at the university.
UVU President Jon Anderson said, "September 10 will always be part of UVU's history, but it will not define our future." He pledged the university will care for the community, learn from the review and act on its recommendations, noting progress made over the past year while acknowledging further work remains.
This remains a developing story; the review is public and authorities, the family and the university continue to respond. The account will be updated as new information becomes available.
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