The family of Charlie Kirk has filed a notice of claim against Utah Valley University, the state of Utah and individuals involved in campus leadership and security decisions. The filing alleges officials knew about rooftop access near Kirk’s September 2025 appearance but failed to secure the area. It also claims the university had no written security plan, assigned only six officers to an event attended by about 3,000 people and did not monitor security cameras in real time. The allegations are part of a prospective legal action and have not been resolved in court.
Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University’s outdoor campus quad in Orem, Utah. Authorities allege that Tyler Robinson fired from the rooftop of the Losee Center, across the clearing from the speaking area.
| 1) | Family files notice of claim over campus security |
| 2) | Warnings about rooftop access cited in filing |
| 3) | Alleged gaps in event planning and staffing |
| 4) | Claims about surveillance, response and rooftop controls |
| 5) | Potential claims and the continuing criminal case |
Family files notice of claim over campus security
The notice, dated September 9, was filed by attorneys representing Erika Kirk and the couple’s two juvenile children. It also acknowledges possible claims by Kirk’s parents, Robert Kirk and Kathryn Kirk. The document names Utah Valley University, the state and people involved in leadership and security decisions as prospective defendants.
The filing is a required step before a lawsuit against a public entity and does not specify a dollar amount for damages. It asserts a wrongful death claim and raises a constitutional state-created-danger theory. The family’s attorney, Brett Parkinson, said the alleged failures deprived the family of a husband, father, son and brother.
Warnings about rooftop access cited in filing
According to the notice, Turning Point USA organizers told UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long that students had informed them of rooftop access to the Sorenson Center. The building was described as close to the speaking area and directly west of the Losee Center, where authorities say the fatal shot originated.
The filing quotes an alleged exchange in which an organizer asked whether access could be controlled or a private security representative stationed there. The notice says Long responded that he had the matter covered. The family argues the warning was significant because of a previous attempted assassination of President Trump involving a rooftop shooter.
Alleged gaps in event planning and staffing
The event took place on September 10, 2025, at an outdoor quad on the Orem campus during Kirk’s American Comeback Tour. The filing alleges officials did not complete a meaningful risk assessment, hold a security briefing or prepare a written security plan.
The family contends the outdoor location created heightened vulnerability because tall buildings and elevated positions surrounded the audience and speaker. The notice says the university could have rejected the venue, moved the event indoors or selected a more secure site, as it had done for controversial speakers.
Only six campus police officers were allegedly assigned to an audience of approximately 3,000 people. The filing says Jeffrey Long sought approval from then-president Astrid Tuminez for more officers, but that request was denied. It also alleges police did not request assistance from nearby departments in Orem or Provo.
Claims about surveillance, response and rooftop controls
The notice alleges officials had authority to establish a security perimeter, install barriers and use metal detectors or other measures. It says those powers were not used despite the size and public profile of the gathering.
The filing claims campus surveillance footage was not monitored live and no drones were used to observe rooftops or the outdoor event. Attorneys say later video review showed the suspected gunman moving across the Losee Center roof toward a firing position. The family argues real-time monitoring might have detected the movement before the shooting.
The notice further alleges the rooftop remained unsecured even though students were known to access it and discarded bottles and other trash had reportedly been found there. It says first responders were not available at the scene and Kirk was taken to Timpanogos Regional Hospital in a private vehicle rather than an ambulance.
Potential claims and the continuing criminal case
The prospective civil plaintiffs seek to hold the university and other named parties responsible for alleged failures that the family says created a foreseeable danger. The filing does not establish liability, and the claims would have to be tested through legal proceedings.
In the related criminal case, Tyler Robinson, who was 23 at the time described in the article, has pleaded not guilty through his lawyers. Authorities allege he used the Losee Center rooftop as a sniper position. The criminal prosecution and potential civil case are separate proceedings with different legal standards.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The family filed a notice of claim dated September 9. |
| 2 | The filing alleges officials were warned about rooftop access. |
| 3 | It says six officers covered an event attended by about 3,000 people. |
| 4 | The notice cites unsecured rooftops and unmonitored camera footage. |
Summary
The Kirk family’s notice of claim presents allegations about venue selection, staffing, rooftop access, surveillance and emergency response at Utah Valley University. The document argues these failures made the shooting foreseeable and preventable, while the claims remain subject to legal review. The related criminal case against Tyler Robinson continues separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the family file?
The family filed a notice of claim, which can precede a lawsuit against a public entity. It alleges wrongful death and a constitutional state-created-danger claim.
What security problems does the filing allege?
It alleges there was no written security plan, only six officers were assigned, rooftop access was not secured and surveillance footage was not monitored in real time.
Who is accused in the criminal case?
Authorities accuse Tyler Robinson of firing the fatal shot from the Losee Center rooftop. He has pleaded not guilty through his attorneys.
