Independent review of UVU and Charlie Kirk shooting finds ways security could be better

Key Points:

• An independent review found that Utah Valley University (UVU) did not act in bad faith on the day conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a Turning Point USA event on campus in September 2025.
• The report identified significant shortcomings in UVU’s event security planning and execution, including deferring key security decisions to the event organizer and failing to fully integrate outside law enforcement resources into pre-event planning.
• UVU had existing security technology and policies but did not consistently implement them for this high-profile event, and the report recommends enhanced real-time surveillance, increased law enforcement support, and better communication protocols for future events.
• The Kirk family’s attorney criticized UVU for being understaffed and unprepared, asserting the university bore responsibility for Kirk’s safety and signaling plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the institution.
• Since the incident, UVU has created a Chief Public Safety Officer role and improved coordination with law enforcement, with university leadership committing to learn from the review’s findings and implement its recommendations.