University Report Faults Security in Charlie Kirk Assassination

Utah Valley University has released a 158-page report detailing security failures surrounding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on campus in September 2025. The independent review by the Lake Forest Group, commissioned by the university, found that security measures were insufficient for a high-profile outdoor event and that the university's application of its own policies was inconsistent.

The report, released by UVU, identified 10 key findings aimed at improving future event security. It concluded that no university personnel acted in bad faith or with willful disregard for safety. However, it highlighted critical lapses, including the absence of a dedicated university police officer to monitor campus security cameras and the need to re-evaluate staffing levels and training given the university's size and potential risks.

The review also noted that while universities have implemented measures to address internal threats since the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, these were not applicable in Kirk's case, as the accused assailant, Tyler Robinson, had no prior connection to UVU. The report detailed a timeline of events from July 10 to Sept. 10, 2025, identifying several key decision points in the lead-up to the assassination.

According to the report, the outdoor courtyard location was confirmed as the event venue on August 25, 2025, despite concerns from UVU officials about controlling the area. The event was approved two days later without a documented security assessment plan. The first direct security coordination between campus police and TPUSA security occurred on September 3, just a week before the event.

Concerns about rooftop access were raised by TPUSA organizers on September 8. The report states that UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long sent a text message to TPUSA's security supervisor, Dan Flood, stating "We got you covered." However, the review claims this text was in reference to the Hall of Flags outdoor pedestrian walkway, not the rooftop from which prosecutors allege Robinson fired the fatal shot.

Flood and the TPUSA security team arrived on campus on September 10. Text communications between Flood and Chief Long that day focused on security for the Hall of Flags walkway and the courtyard where Kirk was to speak. The report indicates that TPUSA's primary security focus was the Hall of Flags walkway above the speaking area.

This account differs from the Kirk family's notice of claim, which identified the Sorensen Center rooftop as a specific area of concern. The Hall of Flags walkway was closed for the event, but TPUSA security never met face-to-face with university police, according to the review. Prosecutors allege Robinson climbed atop the Losee Center building, to the northeast of the courtyard, to carry out the shooting.

Brett Parkinson, an attorney for the Kirk family, stated that the report reaffirms their claims that UVU security was understaffed and unprepared. He asserted that UVU leadership and law enforcement bore responsibility for the security failures and that justice requires accountability for the university's shortcomings.

In response, UVU President Dr. Jon Anderson stated that September 10 will remain part of the university's history but will not define its future. He emphasized the university's commitment to caring for its community, learning from the report's findings, and implementing its recommendations.