Authored by Aldgra Fredly via The Epoch Times,
An external review released on Sept. 25 has found no evidence that Utah Valley University employees acted in "bad faith" following Charlie Kirk's assassination last year, but found several security lapses, including the failure to conduct a formal security assessment.
The university commissioned an independent review to examine its security measures following the Sept. 10, 2025 fatal shooting of Kirk, co-founder of nonprofit organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA). The conservative commentator was shot and killed while speaking to a crowd of students during a TPUSA event at the university in Orem, Utah.
The 158-page report found that the university had not prepared a formal event action plan for the TPUSA event, which it said was essential for major outdoor events involving a high-profile speaker. Several key security decisions were also deferred to the TPUSA, it stated.
The report said university officials had raised concerns about holding the event in the courtyard but ultimately agreed after TPUSA "insisted upon" an outdoor venue, with one TPUSA representative saying Kirk had previously spoken on campus and the organization was familiar with the location.
The university also proposed using its ticketing system for the event, but TPUSA requested to use its own. The report said the university should have retained decision-making authority over key security matters.
"Those decisions placed the event in an area that was more difficult to control and limited [Utah Valley University's] ability to obtain reliable, real-time information regarding anticipated attendance and crowd size," the report stated.
The event location "created significant protective operations considerations," the report said, but the planning process failed to include a documented line-of-sight assessment, pre-event briefing, or walk-through with security stakeholders. Nor was there clear coordination with Kirk's private security team and external law enforcement partners, it said.
According to the report, Utah Valley University Police Department chief Jeff Long attempted to arrange a face-to-face meeting with TPUSA security supervisor Dan Flood before the event, but it did not take place.
"Such a meeting would have provided another opportunity to review roles, confirm post assignments, address concerns, identify changes in conditions, and ensure that both groups had a shared understanding of the security posture," it stated.
The university also did not specifically assign any personnel to monitor camera feeds in real time for security purposes during the event, according to the report.
In a statement, Utah Valley University president Jon Anderson said the university has a responsibility to "learn from the findings of this review" and implement its recommendations.
Kirk's family lawyer Brett Parkinson said in a statement that Utah Valley University hosted the event and therefore assumed responsibility for the safety of all in attendance, including Kirk.
"The buck stopped with UVU leadership and law enforcement," Parkinson said, referring to the university. "Justice for Charlie and his family requires true accountability for UVU's fatal shortcomings that day."
Last week, Kirk's family announced a wrongful death notice accusing Utah Valley University officials of hastening his death through "reckless decisions," including failing to conduct an adequate risk assessment, establish a secure perimeter, and to have first responders immediately available, which led to Kirk being taken to a hospital in a private vehicle instead of an ambulance.
Tyler Robinson has been charged with Kirk's killing, and a judge has ruled the 23-year-old will stand trial for aggravated murder. Robinson has pleaded not guilty.