Charlie Kirk's family says officials failed to protect him before attack

The family of slain conservative influencer Charlie Kirk has blamed Utah officials for his death at a state university. Mr Kirk was shot dead by a rooftop sniper on September 10, 2025, while debating students in an outdoor courtyard.A wrongful death notice now filed by his family has said "negligence" by Utah Valley University failed to protect the 31-year-old while on their campus."The risk of a rooftop shooter should have been especially top-of-mind given the attempted assassination of President Trump, Charlie Kirk's close friend and political ally … the previous year," the notice read.The shooting happened during his largest campus tour, dubbed "The American Comeback Tour" by Mr Kirk's conservative organisation, Turning Point USA.The tour, the document added, came with a "backdrop of risk"."Through a series of stunning failures and reckless decisions, the [university] created a foreseeable danger to Charlie," the notice said.'Fishbowl' scene of Kirk's campus shooting deathMr Kirk had been debating students in the courtyard, which was surrounded by tall buildings "and other elevated observations".According to the wrongful death notice, this allegedly "walk[ed] him into a fishbowl".An Associated Press review following the shooting showed the campus in Orem did not use several public safety practices that have become standard safeguards at events around the country.About 3,000 people were present at the time of the shooting. (The Salt Lake Tribune: Trent Nelson via Reuters)Campus police staffing was far below recommended levels for a school of that size.They also did not fly a drone to monitor rooftops or coordinate with local law enforcement to secure the event attended by about 3,000 people.There were no bag checks or metal detectors and no first responders immediately available.This, they alleged, resulted in Mr Kirk being taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle, rather than an ambulance.Charlie Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. (AP: Jesse Bedayn)The wrongful death notice is a required step under state law before his family can file a formal claim or lawsuit.It names the university and its then-president, Astrid Tuminez, the campus police department and its chief, Jeffrey Long, and the state of Utah.A spokesperson for Utah Valley University said the school was aware of the notice and would address it "consistent with our established processes".The Utah Attorney General's Office said it would not comment on potential litigation.One year after death, trial continues for alleged shooterThe 23-year-old charged with shooting Mr Kirk dead has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have been granted permission to seek the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, a former apprentice electrician. Tyler Robinson has made multiple appearances in court since his arrest. (Reuters: Supplied/Utah State Courts)Mr Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder for endangering the lives of others at the event. It was unclear when a trial would go forward. The next court hearing has been scheduled for October 23. Mr Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, made multiple high-profile appearances, including alongside US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, in the wake of her husband's death. Ms Kirk has since been elected chief executive of Turning Point USA. Erika Kirk has regularly attended court proceedings. (AP: Marielle Scott)One year after the attack, bells tolled at 12.20pm local time at Utah Valley University, marking the time of Mr Kirk's death. Outside Turning Point USA's Arizona headquarters, a 2.4-meter-tall statue of Mr Kirk was unveiled to mark the anniversary. Three days later, the statue and a nearby poster memorial were found vandalised with red spray-paint. AP/ABC