The family of Charlie Kirk has filed a wrongful death notice against Utah Valley University, alleging a series of reckless decisions left the conservative activist exposed to a fatal sniper attack.
Attorneys for the Kirk family contend that officials at the Orem, Utah institution failed to implement basic security measures before approving an outdoor event that drew several thousand attendees on September 10, 2025.
Kirk, 31, was debating students in an open courtyard surrounded by tall buildings when a gunman fired a fatal shot from more than 400 feet away.
The filing alleges university officials failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment, did not establish a secure perimeter, and had no first responders immediately on hand at the event.
Kirk was transported to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle rather than an ambulance, a detail his family’s attorneys cited as evidence of the university’s failure to prepare for emergencies.
“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,” the filing stated.
The wrongful death notice names the university and its then-president, Astrid Tuminez, as well as campus police chief Jeffrey Long and the state of Utah.
Long has said that six campus officers staffed the event and coordinated with Kirk’s eight-person private security team, though the filing alleges no drone monitoring, bag checks, or metal detectors were deployed.
The university’s police force was significantly understaffed at the time, with one officer for every 1,400 students, compared to a national average of one per 500 students according to a 2024 Department of Justice study.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is currently held at the Utah County jail and faces seven charges including aggravated homicide, which carries the potential death penalty.
A spokesperson for Utah Valley University said the school was aware of the notice and would address it “consistent with our established processes,” adding that its focus remained on supporting the campus community.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office declined to comment, stating it does not weigh in on potential litigation matters.
Utah Valley University has since announced plans to expand its police force in response to the security lapses exposed by the shooting.
The wrongful death notice signals that a formal lawsuit is likely forthcoming, as such notices are typically required precursors to civil litigation against government institutions in Utah.
