Conservative leader shot at college event

Charlie Kirk, 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was killed on September 10, 2025, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University with about 3,000 attendees. The shooter fired from a rooftop of the Losee Center.

Family files lawsuit against authorities

Kirk's family filed a notice of claim signaling intent to sue Utah authorities, alleging a series of security failures and reckless decisions that made the assassination foreseeable and preventable.

Police chief's reassuring response to concerns

When Turning Point organizers told UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long that students raised concerns about rooftop access, Long allegedly replied 'I got you covered,' according to the family's filing.

“I got you covered”

Organizers requested rooftop security measures

A Turning Point USA organizer wrote to Chief Long asking for controlled access to the rooftop or permission to station security personnel there, saying 'If possible.'

“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”

No meaningful risk assessment conducted

Kirk's family claims UVU failed to conduct a meaningful risk assessment before the event, including failing to scout rooftops near the event space where the shooter allegedly fired from.

Security planning fell short of standards

The filing alleges UVU Police had no written security plan and failed to hold any security briefings ahead of the event, falling below standard practices at other universities hosting controversial speakers.

Inadequate officer deployment for crowd size

Only six campus police officers were deployed for an event with more than 3,000 attendees, representing just 25 percent of the police force, according to the family's complaint.

Trump assassination attempt set precedent

Kirk's family noted that President Trump survived a rooftop shooter assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, just months earlier, making rooftop threats especially foreseeable.

“The risk of a rooftop shooter should have been especially top-of-mind given the attempted assassination of President Trump”

Real-time surveillance not monitored

The family alleges UVU authorities failed to monitor CCTV footage in real-time, which would have allowed them to see the shooter preparing and potentially prevented Kirk's death.

Shooter positioned in sniper's nest

Prosecutors released security footage showing the alleged shooter running across a rooftop to a sniper's nest before taking the fatal shot at Kirk during the event.

Suspect awaits trial for murder

Tyler Robinson, Kirk's alleged assassin, is awaiting trial for murder and faces the death penalty if found guilty of the killing.

Lawsuit names multiple defendants

The notice of claim names the State of Utah, Utah Valley University, the UVU Police Department, Chief Jeffrey Long, former UVU President Astrid Tuminez, and other state actors as defendants.

Damages amount not yet determined

Kirk's family has not assessed a specific monetary amount for damages but stated the potential damages are substantial given the preventable nature of the assassination.

University responds to allegations

Utah Valley University's communications head Sharon Turner said the university addresses legal matters through established processes and remains focused on supporting the campus community.

Filing comes after anniversary commemoration

The notice was filed days after the one-year anniversary of Kirk's death, which was marked by commemoration events including one hosted by Turning Point USA at the UVU campus.

Law enforcement now scouts rooftops

Ahead of the anniversary commemoration event, law enforcement was seen scouting rooftops around the area, the same security measure Kirk's family says should have been done before the original event.

Kirk's widow leads Turning Point USA

Erika Kirk, the conservative activist's widow, took over as chief executive of Turning Point USA following her husband's assassination and is raising their two young children.

Widow marks anniversary with tribute

Erika Kirk shared a poignant message on the anniversary, thanking those who supported her family through the unimaginable loss and expressing her enduring love for Charlie.

“God, in his mercy, has used so many of you to steady us through the unimaginable”