The family of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has initiated legal proceedings, filing a notice of claim alleging that Utah Valley University (UVU) committed "stunning failures" and "reckless decisions" that led to his assassination on the Orem, Utah campus in September 2025. The notice, obtained by ABC News, asserts that the university's actions created a foreseeable danger, rendering Kirk "helpless" to a rooftop shooter in an event that could have been prevented with reasonable security measures.

Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while addressing a crowd of approximately 3,000 people at an outdoor event at UVU. The university was the starting point for Turning Point USA's "The American Comeback Tour," an initiative visiting college campuses nationwide. The notice highlights that the event occurred against a "well-known backdrop of risk," referencing previous high-profile incidents of political violence in the United States.

The legal document details several alleged shortcomings by UVU. The family's counsel contends that the university failed to conduct a thorough risk assessment before approving the outdoor venue and did not allocate sufficient security personnel. While university police stated six officers were assigned to the event, the claim argues this was inadequate and that crucial steps, such as real-time monitoring of the event, were neglected.

Furthermore, the notice points to surveillance footage presented during preliminary hearings for the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. This footage reportedly showed an individual accessing a "sniper's pad" on the roof of the Losee Center for Student Success. The Kirk family's legal team argues that had this activity been monitored in real-time, Kirk's death could have been averted. The claim also alleges that UVU ignored a tip from Turning Point USA concerning the risk of rooftop access on campus prior to the event.

The notice of wrongful death and survivor claims, dated September 9, 2026, was sent to the Utah Office of the Attorney General. This filing serves to preserve the family's right to pursue a lawsuit against the university by meeting statutory limitations.

Security at Utah Valley University has been a subject of scrutiny following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. The incident raised questions about the university's protocols for large-scale events, particularly those involving prominent figures or potentially controversial speakers.

The family's legal action emphasizes that the security steps they believe were missed are standard practices for other universities hosting similar events. They argue that UVU's alleged negligence created an unnecessary and preventable risk to Kirk's life.

This legal challenge represents a significant step in seeking accountability for the circumstances surrounding Kirk's death. The outcome of the notice of claim could pave the way for further legal action and potentially influence campus security policies at educational institutions across the country when hosting public events.