Charlie Kirk speaking with attendees at the 2021 AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, December 2021. (Photo: Gage Skidmore)
Charlie Kirk’s Family Upset Over the ‘Stunning Failures’ of Utah Valley University’s Security — and Rightfully So
Why the Kirk family has every right to be angry over what it describes as the university’s colossal security failure
By Michael Letts, September 17, 2026 10:11 am
It always upsets me to see a tragedy take place when it could have been avoided by taking precautions — any sort of precautions, for that matter.
And it still boggles my mind that someone was able to shoot Charlie Kirk on a university campus, ending his life at the young age of 31.
Even though the alleged assassin was taken into custody and faces multiple charges in connection with the shooting, I can’t help but wonder why security couldn’t have done more to prevent the attack. Apparently, I’m not the only one asking that question.
A report from The Guardian revealed that Kirk’s family blames officials at Utah Valley University for failing to take sufficient security measures to protect him. According to the report, the family believes security personnel made a string of “reckless decisions” that left Kirk vulnerable to a rooftop sniper.
It states that campus police staffing was lower than the recommended level that day and that officials did not deploy a drone to check the rooftops for potential threats. It also noted that campus security did not coordinate with local law enforcement and that no bag checks or metal detectors were implemented.
If those reports are accurate, serious questions need to be answered about the university’s security planning for the event.
Whether any of those decisions were the result of a personal animus toward Kirk is another matter. There is no evidence presented here establishing that anyone involved in the security operation held a grudge against him. What deserves a closer look, however, is whether appropriate security protocols were followed — and whether more could reasonably have been done to protect him. I definitely believe so.
I did a little research into how security is handled on college campuses, especially with the rise in “active shooter” events. And that, first and foremost, should have been the focus. They should’ve known Kirk’s stature and set up appropriately for it, and, well, didn’t, as we all saw.
The family has already taken legal steps. According to reports, attorney D. Loren Washburn sent an official notice on their behalf. The notice stated that “the risk of a rooftop shooter should have been especially top-of-mind,” particularly in light of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania the previous year.
The university has not provided a substantive public response to the notice, saying only that it would address the matter “consistent with our established processes.”
There are certainly questions surrounding the security operation. The biggest, in my view, is the apparent lack of preliminary security measures. For a high-profile guest appearing at a public university event, measures such as controlled entrances, bag checks, metal detectors, any sort of collaboration with law enforcement and rooftop surveillance deserve serious consideration.
And the reported lack of coordination with police is especially troubling to me. They should’ve been contacted first and foremost.
Washburn reportedly noted that there was no attempt to establish a secure perimeter around the event and no apparent first responders stationed in the immediate area. Those allegations raise additional questions about the emergency response after Kirk was shot. He was reportedly transported in a private vehicle. Not an ambulance. That’s ridiculous.
According to the family’s notice: “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.”
That is a serious allegation, and it deserves a serious response. Not just one that follows an “established process.”
The bottom line is that the Kirk family is entitled to answers about what happened before, during, and immediately after the shooting. Were appropriate security protocols followed, and if not, why not? Why wasn’t local law enforcement adequately consulted, when I’m sure officers weren’t far from the campus at all? Were the risks associated with the venue properly assessed? And were emergency-response resources positioned appropriately? That’s a big one, especially considering the lack of an ambulance. Was one even on-campus?
Those are questions that should be answered through the investigation – something that the university should be taking a large part in. Not just giving a general, dry response.
If the Kirk family ultimately chooses to pursue legal action against the university (which, I feel, it very well should), the allegations and evidence should be examined through that process. At the very least, this tragedy should prompt Utah Valley University – and others like it – to take another look at how they protect high-profile guests and respond to threats at public events.
There should never be complacency when it comes to security, especially when lives are at stake. The moment personal considerations, convenience, or inadequate preparation interfere with established safety procedures is the moment those responsible for security need to take a hard look at what went wrong. Or at the very least, step aside for those that do care about doing their job.
Let this serve as a lesson. When a high-profile guest comes to campus, security procedures need to be taken seriously — not only for the guest, but for everyone attending the event.
I hope the lessons from this tragedy lead to stronger security practices and better protection for everyone on that campus, not just its students. At the very least, call the law enforcement professionals that can – and always do – make a difference.
Charlie certainly deserved that level of protection.
You can also purchase Michael’s latest book, Truth, Lies and Control: Finding Hope in an Upside-Down World, here on Amazon.
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national
grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities
provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces
through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising
programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under
his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue.
Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website at https://investusa.org/our-team
grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities
provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces
through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising
programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under
his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue.
Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website at https://investusa.org/our-team
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