# Police ignored rooftop warning before Kirk assassination

> Utah officials received a specific security tip about rooftop access before Charlie Kirk was killed, but failed to act on it, his family's legal filing claims.
- Title: Police ignored rooftop warning before Kirk assassination
- Summary: Utah officials received a specific security tip about rooftop access before Charlie Kirk was killed, but failed to act on it, his family's legal filing…
- Keywords: charlie kirk, utah valley university, assassination, rooftop access, security failure, turning point usa, jeffrey long, notice of claim, tyler robinson, political violence, Police, ignored
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/police-were-warned-rooftop-access-charlie-kirk-shooting-tpusa-12450652
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:58:11+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: charlie kirk, utah valley university, assassination, rooftop access, security failure, turning point usa, jeffrey long, notice of claim, tyler robinson, political violence
## Kirk killed at university event
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was assassinated at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, during an outdoor speaking event attended by roughly 3,000 people.
## Family warns of rooftop risk
Turning Point USA texted Police Chief Jeffrey Long about a student concern regarding accessible rooftops near where Kirk would speak. Long responded 'I got you covered,' according to the legal filing.

> I got you covered
## Security failures alleged in filing
Kirk's family claims UVU officials ignored the rooftop warning and failed to conduct a threat assessment or produce a written security plan despite knowing of potential political violence.
## Inadequate police staffing deployed
UVU assigned only 6 police officers to the outdoor event with 3,000 attendees, representing just 25 percent of the campus police force. Police Chief Long allegedly requested more officers but was denied by the university president.
## No standard safety measures used
An Associated Press review found the event lacked standard public safety practices including bag checks, metal detectors, and drones to monitor rooftops, despite Kirk's political prominence.
## Trump assassination attempt precedent
The filing notes that an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump occurred the previous year, making the rooftop threat especially relevant and foreseeable at Kirk's outdoor event.
## Suspect charged with murder
Tyler Robinson, 23, surrendered the day after Kirk's death and has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors say he told his partner he 'had enough of Kirk's hatred.'

> had enough of [Kirk's] hatred
## Family pursues accountability
Kirk's family filed a notice of claim naming the university, its former president, campus police, the police chief, and the state of Utah as prospective defendants to preserve their right to pursue legal action.
## Key takeaway

A documented warning about rooftop vulnerability at the event went unheeded by police leadership, according to the family's notice of claim.