Full Breakdown
Kirk Family Files Notice of Claim Alleging UVU Security Failures Led to 2025 Assassination
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Legal Notice Targets Utah Valley University and State Officials
On September 9, 2025, the Kirk family’s attorneys filed a notice of claim—a prerequisite for a wrongful-death suit—against Utah Valley University (UVU), the State of Utah, UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long, former UVU president Astrid Tuminez, and other unnamed actors.
Background & Context
Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at the Sorensen Student Center and Losee Center courtyard in Orem, Utah, as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” TPUSA warned UVU police about “student roof access pretty close” to the speaking site; the chief replied, “I got you covered.”
Timeline
- Sept 9, 2025 – Notice of claim filed.
- Sept 10, 2025 – Kirk shot from the Losee Center roof, ~415 ft from the platform; taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in a private vehicle.
- Sept 1, 2025 – Judge orders criminal case against alleged shooter Tyler Robinson to proceed.
- July 6, 2026 – Erika Kirk exits Fourth District Courthouse after a hearing on Robinson.
- Sept 16, 2025 – Reuters notes the family’s intent to sue.
Data & Statistics
- Campus police assigned six officers (?25 % of UVU’s force) despite a request for more.
- Approximate audience: 3,000.
- Shooter fired from a rooftop over 400 ft (?122 m) away.
- No written security plan, metal detectors, bag checks, or real-time CCTV monitoring were documented.
Official Statements & Responses
- “We are aware of the notice of claim. UVU addresses legal matters consistent with our established processes. Our focus remains on supporting our campus community.” — Deseret News, university spokesperson
- Chief Long told reporters six officers staffed the event and that he coordinated with Kirk’s private security. He later said, “We train for these things, and you think you have things covered, and these things, unfortunately, they happen.”
- Family counsel D. Loren Washburn wrote that the risk of a rooftop shooter “should have been especially top-of-mind” given prior attempts on political figures.
On-the-Ground Reports
The filing notes UVU police did not monitor campus cameras in real time nor deploy drones to surveil rooftops. Surveillance footage shown at a preliminary criminal hearing captured the shooter moving across the Losee Center roof to a “sniper’s nest.” The notice alleges that live monitoring could have averted the attack. First responders were not immediately available; Kirk was transported by private vehicle rather than ambulance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree on the number of officers assigned (six) and the lack of a written security plan. Coordination with Orem or Provo police remains unclear, as the notice claims no assistance was sought until after the shooting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “His murder was entirely preventable and, in fact, would not have happened had the State of Utah and UVU followed through on their stated security promises, which included protecting the rooftops surrounding the quad where Charlie was speaking.” — Brett Parkinson, co-founder
- “Tragically, the UVU Parties took none of these safety measures — steps only they had the authority to take — resulting in a situation that rendered Mr. Kirk helpless before his assassin,” — Loren Washburn, Kirk family attorney
- “You try to get your bases covered and unfortunately today we didn’t,” — Jeffrey Long, UVU police chief
What’s Next
The notice of claim preserves the family’s right to file a formal wrongful-death lawsuit within two years of Kirk’s death. UVU has announced an independent security review, slated for late spring 2026, with a final report later in the year. Prosecutors continue to pursue the death-penalty-eligible case against Robinson; a trial date has not yet been set.