The family of political activist Charlie Kirk has filed a notice of intent to sue Utah Valley University for wrongful death, alleging that a series of failures and reckless decisions led to his death on campus last year, according to a September 16 report by United Press International.
The notice of wrongful death and survivor claims, dated Sept. 9, was sent to the Utah Office of the Attorney General to preserve the family's statute of limitations. The filing alleges that Utah Valley University created a foreseeable danger that rendered Kirk helpless to a rooftop shooter during an event that could have been avoided through standard safety planning used by other universities hosting controversial speakers.
Kirk, who founded the conservative student organization Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck and died on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking on the Orem, Utah, campus. The incident occurred during an event for The American Comeback Tour, which was the first stop on a nationwide college campus tour. According to the notice, approximately 3,000 people were in attendance when the shooter fired from a rooftop approximately 400 feet away.
The legal notice alleges that Turning Point USA officials had previously expressed concerns to UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long regarding student access to campus roofs. The notice claims the university failed to conduct a meaningful risk assessment and did not have enough campus police officers assigned to the event. The filing also notes that surveillance footage showed the shooter, identified as Tyler Robinson, moving toward a location described by a police officer as a sniper's pad.
The prospective defendants named in the claim include Utah Valley University, the state of Utah, the Utah Valley University Police Department, Chief Long, and former UVU President Astrid Tuminez. The prospective plaintiffs include the Kirk estate, Kirk's wife Erika Kirk, and their two children.
Following the shooting, UVU announced it would conduct a comprehensive, independent review to improve campus response and preparedness. Former President Astrid Tuminez stated the university would integrate any findings into safety practices for UVU and higher education across Utah.
