Utah Valley University released an independent report examining security procedures that preceded the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at the institution’s Orem campus. The 158-page report found that Turning Point USA, the political organization Kirk led, insisted upon holding the outdoor event despite recommendations from university staff and the campus police chief to relocate to a more secure indoor location.
According to the report’s findings, university officials raised multiple concerns about the outdoor venue in the weeks leading up to the event. The report also noted that a scheduled face-to-face security briefing and walkthrough between UVU Police Chief Jeff Long and Turning Point USA’s protection detail, including security supervisor Dan Flood, did not take place as planned on the morning of the event. Additionally, Turning Point USA failed to provide an estimated attendance figure to the university, despite indicating it would control ticketing for the event.
While the report stated that no UVU employee or agent acted in bad faith or with willful disregard for safety, it criticized the university for deferring key security decisions to Turning Point USA representatives. The report found that such deference placed the event in an area difficult to control and limited the university’s ability to obtain reliable information about expected crowd size. The report recommended that UVU retain decision-making authority over venue selection, ticketing, and access control for future events.
UVU President Jon Anderson said the university would implement the report’s recommendations and strengthen campus safety practices. However, Kirk’s family attorney stated that UVU bore ultimate responsibility for the safety of attendees that day. The family has indicated plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the university. Tyler Robinson, a Utah resident, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with Kirk’s death and has pleaded not guilty.
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