Report Reveals Major Security Failures Before Charlie Kirk’s Assassination at Utah Valley University

A newly released independent review has identified a series of security failures surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University in September 2025. The 158-page report examined the university’s planning, security preparations, emergency response and actions following the deadly shooting.

Investigators found that the university had established safety policies and procedures but failed to consistently put them into practice ahead of Kirk’s appearance. Despite the high-profile nature of the event, anticipated protests and concerns surrounding the outdoor venue, officials did not prepare a comprehensive written security assessment or formal event action plan.

The event was held in UVU’s outdoor fountain courtyard, an area surrounded by buildings, pedestrian routes and elevated vantage points. University officials had raised concerns about the location and suggested alternative venues during an August planning meeting. Turning Point USA representatives preferred to keep the event in the courtyard, where Kirk had previously appeared.

The report found that the outdoor location created significant security challenges that required more extensive planning. Investigators said officials should have conducted formal assessments involving lines of sight, elevated positions, building access, crowd control, protest management and the placement of security personnel.

Coordination between Utah Valley University Police and Kirk’s private security team was also incomplete. Kirk’s security personnel specifically raised concerns about an elevated pedestrian walkway near the speaking area in the days before the event. Police cleared people from the immediate area and placed police tape there, but a planned face-to-face meeting between UVU Police Chief Jeff Long and Kirk’s security team on the morning of the event never occurred.

Investigators described the absence of a joint pre-event briefing and security walkthrough as a critical missed opportunity. Such a meeting could have allowed university police and Kirk’s security detail to identify vulnerabilities, establish responsibilities and coordinate their response before Kirk arrived.

The review also found shortcomings in the university’s use of security technology. Campus cameras later provided valuable evidence for investigators, but the systems were not being effectively used to provide real-time situational awareness during the event. The report recommended assigning clearer responsibility for monitoring security technology during major campus gatherings.

Emergency communications were another area of concern. Investigators identified confusion surrounding emergency leadership, authority to issue alerts and instructions for protecting students and staff after the shooting. The review recommended clearer chains of command, improved emergency communication procedures and additional training.

Despite identifying numerous shortcomings, investigators concluded that no Utah Valley University employee or representative acted in bad faith or demonstrated willful disregard for public safety. The report instead characterized the problems as failures in planning, coordination and consistent implementation of existing procedures.

The university says it has already begun making changes following Kirk’s assassination, including improvements to emergency preparedness, crisis communications and coordination with outside law enforcement agencies. The report issued 10 major findings and recommended more formal security planning for high-profile events, stronger coordination with private security teams and additional campus public-safety leadership.

The findings arrive as Kirk’s family has taken preliminary steps toward possible legal action over the security surrounding his appearance. Their representatives have alleged that inadequate security left Kirk vulnerable when he was fatally shot from a nearby rooftop during the September 10, 2025 event. The newly released review provides the most detailed examination yet of the decisions and security preparations that preceded the assassination.