Charlie Kirk's spokesman says security had ‘no rooftop authority,’ only police did
WASHINTON, DC: Two weeks after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, spokesman Andrew Kolvet clarified that the security team had no jurisdiction over the rooftop from where the alleged gunman opened fire.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk from the roof of the Losee Center at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Many questioned why the gunman was not detected by Kirk’s security, who were stationed nearby at the event.
On Wednesday’s episode of The Charlie Kirk Show, Kolvet stressed that Turning Point USA’s security team only had authority to protect Kirk’s immediate proximity.
“In defense of our security team, people need to understand that they do not have jurisdiction on the rooftops or the surrounding area,” Kolvet explained.
“Their only jurisdiction on a campus is Charlie's physical proximity, and they were coordinating with local PD and campus PD to make sure all of those venues were secure,” he said.
(Watch: At 1hr 25 minutes you can hear Andrew Kolvet, Dr. James Orr and Blake Neff discussing the security detail Charlie Kirk had at Utah Valley University on September 10.)
Charlie Kirk’s security team had no access to counter-snipers or drones
Blake Neff, producer of 'The Charlie Kirk Show', noted that Turning Point USA did not employ counter-snipers or provide Secret Service-level protection for events.
Kolvet added that local and campus police should have stronger surveillance measures, including drones.
“Many campus PDs do not have drone programs, which is a big problem,” Kolvet said. “It should be mandated by some sort of law.”
Charlie Kirk acknowledged risks of public appearance
While no heightened security concerns were raised before the Utah Valley University event, guest speaker Dr. James Orr recalled that Kirk acknowledged possible threats tied to an upcoming speech at the University of Missouri on September 29.
According to Orr, Kirk said, “You know, that’s going to be the tough one. That’s where it’s riskiest. That’s the one that’s going to be the most dangerous.”
To which Orr replied, “Well, I hope you got a lot of good security.” Kirk responded by saying, “Yeah, it’s all sorted. Don’t worry about it.”
On September 10, 2025, while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University as part of his “American Comeback Tour,” Kirk was fatally shot in the neck.
Prosecutors allege that 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson climbed onto the roof of the Losee Center and fired a rifle, killing the 31-year-old father of two.
Investigators said that DNA evidence linked Robinson to the weapon and rooftop location, and he also sent text messages to his roommate admitting to the act, citing opposition to Kirk’s rhetoric as his motive.
Robinson was arrested about 33 hours later and has since been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.
Prosecutors in Utah have announced they will seek the death penalty.
