Report finds many security deficiencies at Utah university where Charlie Kirk was killed

A new report released on Friday by Utah Valley University details significant security oversights that led to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, during an outdoor event on September 10, 2025. The university's external review found that despite concerns from university officials about holding the event outdoors near tall buildings, Turning Point USA insisted on using a familiar courtyard location for Kirk’s speech. The report highlights multiple security deficiencies, including the lack of a formal risk assessment and an inadequate response plan for outdoor events.

The university also deferred critical decision-making to Turning Point USA without properly assessing potential threats, such as elevated observation points surrounding the event area. As a result, Kirk was left vulnerable to a sniper who shot him from a rooftop more than 400 feet away while he addressed a crowd of around 3,000 people.

In response to these findings, Kirk’s family filed a wrongful death notice against Utah officials, alleging that the university made “reckless” decisions leading to his assassination. The report identifies ten key areas for improvement in future security measures at the university. James Gordon from Mail Online and others have highlighted these issues as critical failures in campus safety protocols. Additionally, there is ongoing debate over whether anyone involved acted with "bad faith" or "willful disregard," though the review generally concludes that no such malfeasance was evident. However, it underscores the need for stricter security procedures to prevent future tragedies.