Police Were Warned of Rooftop Access Before Charlie Kirk Shooting: TPUSA - Newsweek
Utah officials failed to prevent Charlie Kirk's assassination despite a "specific tip" regarding the risk of rooftop access at the university where he was killed last September, according to a notice of claim filed by his family.
An attorney for Kirk's family said the assassination of the 31-year-old conservative Turning Point USA activist at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, occurred following a series of "entirely stunning failures and reckless decisions" by school officials.
"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," attorney Brett Parkinson told Newsweek in a statement. "Those failures not only robbed Charlie Kirk of his life, but also robbed his family of their husband, father, son, and brother, with impacts that will compound for the rest of their lives."
The notice of claim, which was filed September 9, preserves the right of Kirk's family to "pursue accountability" in his death, Parkinson said.
The filing, which names the university, its former president, campus police department, police chief and the state of Utah as prospective defendants, identifies six alleged wrongful acts and negligence committed by UVU, including University Police Chief Jeffrey Long ignoring a tip about concerns raised about rooftop access at the school.
"TPUSA passed along a student concern about the risk posed to Mr. Kirk by accessible rooftops on campus," the filing reads. "Specifically, TPUSA texted, 'Hello Chief Long β we received this message today from the student groupβ¦. βthere is studentroof access pretty close to where [Charlie Kirk] will be set up at Utah Valley.'"
"I got you covered," Long responded, according to the filing. "This led TPUSA to reasonably conclude that UVU had a plan to address the identified risk and other similar risks (most obviously the risk from other rooftops) without TPUSA involvement."
The potential threat of a rooftop shooter at the event featuring Kirk should have been "especially top-of-mind" following the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump, Kirk's political ally, the previous year, according to the filing.
Parkinson alleges UVU officials had known of the potential for political violence at the event, but declined to take proper precautions, including by conducting a meaningful threat assessment beforehand or producing a written security plan.
"Placing a politically controversial figure like Charlie Kirk in an outdoor event in the quad surrounded by tall buildings and other elevated observation platforms is accurately described as walking him into a fishbowl," the eight-page filing reads.
UVU officials declined to comment on the allegations on Wednesday.
"We are aware of the notice of claim," a university spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement. "UVU addresses legal matters consistent with our established processes. Our focus remains on supporting our campus community."
The university faced intense criticism regarding safety measures following Kirk's death. An Associated Press review found that officials at the Orem campus did not incorporate several standard public safety practices at the event, including inadequate police staffing and a lack of drones to monitor rooftops. The roughly 3,000 attendees also did not undergo bag checks or pass through metal detectors.
"The UVU parties assigned only 6 police officers to the outdoor tour event that ultimately attracted approximately 3,000 attendees," the filing continued. "On information and belief, Chief Jeffrey Long requested approval from then UVU President, Astrid Tuminez, to allocate more than the six officers β which represented only 25% of the UVU police force β but his request was denied."
Tyler Robinson, 23, surrendered to authorities a day after Kirk's death. Prosecutors allege he told his romantic partner he "had enough of [Kirk's] hatred," adding that "some hate can't be negotiated out."
Robinson, who has been charged with aggravated murder, could face the death penalty if convicted. A judge ordered the case to proceed to trial on September 1, although a date has not yet been set. The judge's ruling marked an "important step" toward Kirk's family pursuit of justice, relatives told Newsweek earlier this month.
"Every step in this process carries the weight of all that Charlieβs murder has taken from his family, especially his children who will grow up without their father," the statement read. "We are grateful to all who have continued to pray for us, support us, and stand with us through a year of unimaginable grief. As the next phase of the judicial process begins, our family remains united in our love for Charlie, our commitment to the pursuit of justice, and our prayer for a transparent and timely process."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Sam Wilson.
