Family attorney responds to Utah Valley University’s new probe report claiming TPUSA insisted that Charlie Kirk speak outdoors despite security concerns.
Brett Parkinson, an attorney representing Kirk’s family, said the review supported the family’s earlier allegations that UVU security was understaffed and unprepared for the September 10, 2025 event. The 158-page review identified gaps in security planning, communication and coordination, although it concluded that no UVU employee or agent had acted in bad faith or with willful and wanton disregard for safety. Because tPUSA preferred to manage its own ticketing, tPUSA had initially projected about 600 attendees, but UVU later did not have access to reliable ticketing information.
It said the Kirk event did not have a comprehensive written security assessment or event action plan. The review said this limited the university’s ability to obtain real-time information about crowd size. The university said the review found a need for more consistent implementation of existing safety policies, clearer responsibilities and stronger coordination during major events and emergencies.
The university had commissioned the independent review to examine its planning, preparedness, response and recovery surrounding the shooting. The review found that UVU had campus safety policies, personnel and resources but their implementation was inconsistent. Reviewers also found that there was no documented line-of-sight assessment and that security planning did not adequately address elevated vantage points, building access and other site-specific risks. Another issue involved attendance estimates.
The family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has accused Utah Valley University of failing to provide adequate security for the event where Kirk was fatally shot last year, after an independent review identified shortcomings in the university’s planning and coordination.
Security concerns raised hours before shooting
Kirk was later shot while speaking at the university. His death triggered a continuing examination of security arrangements at the event.