Charlie Kirk's Family Files Wrongful Death Claim Against UVU, Citing Security Failures

Charlie Kirk's family has initiated legal proceedings against Utah Valley University (UVU), filing a notice of claim that serves as a precursor to a lawsuit. The filing alleges that the university, state officials, and key individuals involved in campus security decisions failed to prevent the assassination of the Turning Point USA founder, leading to his wrongful death.

The legal document, dated September 9, asserts that the risk of a rooftop shooter should have been particularly heightened due to a previous assassination attempt on former President Trump by a rooftop assailant the year prior. The family's attorneys claim that Turning Point USA organizers had informed UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long about student awareness of rooftop access to the Sorenson Center, a building situated near where Kirk was scheduled to speak and west of the Losee Center, from which the fatal shot was reportedly fired.

According to the filing, an exchange between TPUSA organizers and Chief Long included concerns about rooftop access. A TPUSA representative allegedly wrote to Long, "If this is true, it would be nice to either have it controlled access or allow one of my guys to be there as well." Long is said to have responded, "I got you covered."

Kirk, 31, was killed on September 10, 2025, in the campus courtyard. Authorities stated the gunman used the Losee Center rooftop as a vantage point. The accused gunman, Tyler Robinson, 23, has pleaded not guilty. Brett Parkinson, counsel for the Kirk family, stated, "His murder was entirely preventable and, in fact, would not have happened had the State of Utah and UVU followed through on their stated security promises, which included protecting the rooftops surrounding the quad where Charlie was speaking." He added that these failures "robbed Charlie Kirk of his life, but also robbed his family of their husband, father, son, and brother."

The prospective plaintiffs include Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, and their two children, as well as potential claims from his parents. The filing also raises a claim of "state-created danger" under the U.S. Constitution.

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA, had become a prominent conservative voice. He had spoken at Republican National Conventions and developed friendships with political figures. The filing notes that Kirk had publicly spoken about receiving death threats due to his activism, stating in May 2025, "You should not have to walk around with security for your entire family and for myself just because you support a politician or political candidate or certain values."

The notice references a broader context of rising political violence, citing attempts on President Trump's life, the attack on Paul Pelosi, and the murders of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

According to the family's legal filing, UVU's alleged failures created a foreseeable danger to Kirk. These alleged failures include a lack of a meaningful risk assessment and an insufficient security plan for the event. The filing suggests that UVU could have opted for an indoor venue or a more secure location, as had been done for other speakers in the past.

Only six campus police officers were assigned to the event, which drew approximately 3,000 attendees. The filing states that Chief Long's request for more officers was denied by then-UVU President Astrid Tuminez. Furthermore, campus police did not seek assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies. The filing also alleges that Kirk was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle because first responders were not readily available.

The university possessed the authority to implement security measures like physical barriers and metal detectors, which were not utilized. The campus security camera system was not monitored in real-time, and the filing suggests that if footage had been watched live, Kirk's death could have been prevented. The rooftop of the Losee Center, from which the shots were fired, was reportedly not secured, despite evidence of student activity and discarded items found there.