Charlie Kirk family files claim against Utah, alleges rooftops left unsecured before shooting

PROVO, UTAH: The family of Charlie Kirk has begun the legal process for a potential wrongful-death lawsuit against Utah and Utah Valley University, arguing that the conservative activist’s killing could have been prevented.

The claim focuses on security decisions made before Kirk appeared at the university in September 2025, including alleged failures to secure nearby rooftops, increase police coverage, and monitor the area during the event.

Kirk family alleges serious security lapses

According to the September 9 legal notice, Kirk’s family alleges that Utah Valley University and state officials failed to address known concerns about rooftop access before the event.

The filing says Turning Point USA had raised the issue and claims campus police did not secure the rooftops before Kirk spoke.

The notice also alleges the university lacked a formal security assessment, written plan and pre-event briefing.

Six campus officers were assigned to the event, which drew more than 3,000 people, while the family says metal detectors, drones, and live surveillance monitoring were not used.

The claim further alleges that emergency medical response was not adequately arranged, stating that first responders were unavailable when Kirk was shot and that he was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in a private vehicle rather than an ambulance.

The Charlie Kirk team also flagged open rooftop access near the stage to the security officials. The police chief allegedly responded saying, “I got you covered.”

Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet told Fox News on Wednesday, September 16, that school officials knew students commonly gathered on the rooftop to watch events below.

He said campus police were responsible for controlling access across the wider university grounds.

He described the alleged failures as heartbreaking and said the consequences could have been even worse if the gunman had fired into the crowd.

“Who knows. The gunman could have sprayed into the crowd,” Kolvet said. “So the fact that those rooftops were left unmanned, uncontrolled, and they weren't watching CCTV at the same time. It's just terrible.”

University and Utah face potential lawsuit

The notice of claim, filed ahead of a possible lawsuit, names Utah Valley University, the State of Utah, the university’s police department and campus police chief Jeffrey Long among the anticipated defendants.

It further claims that the university did not seek additional assistance from nearby law-enforcement agencies.

The family’s legal team argues that rooftop security should have been a priority, particularly after the attempted assassination of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in July 2024, when a shooter also used an elevated position.

The university has acknowledged receiving the notice but has not accepted responsibility for Kirk’s death.

Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. 

Prosecutors allege that Tyler James Robinson fired the fatal shot from the roof of a campus building across from the event.

Robinson surrendered shortly after the shooting and faces seven charges, including aggravated killing. He has pleaded not guilty.

During the preliminary proceedings, prosecutors presented surveillance footage that allegedly showed Robinson arriving on campus, moving through the university grounds and climbing onto the roof from which they say he fired at Kirk. 

The footage was examined in court as part of the evidence supporting the case.

On September 1, 2026, a Utah judge ruled that Robinson would stand trial. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.