UVU audit reveals security gaps at Charlie Kirk event
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Utah Valley University: Photo: Charles-McClintock Wilson/Getty Images
Utah Valley University released on Friday a highly anticipated review of the events surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination on campus last year.
Why it matters: The independent audit shows that UVU deferred key planning decisions for Kirk's campus event to Turning Point USA, the organization he co-founded.
State of play: The 158-page report says UVU raised concerns about TPUSA's plans to hold the event in the courtyard and use its own ticketing system in the weeks leading up to the rally.
- Despite the issues, the report says TPUSA moved forward with both.
- "Those decisions placed the event in an area that was more difficult to control and limited UVU's ability to obtain reliable, real-time information regarding anticipated attendance and crowd size," per the report.
- A pre-event briefing and walk-through between UVU police chief Jeff Long and TPUSA security supervisor Dan Flood didn't happen, despite Long's texting Flood to meet an hour before Kirk arrived on campus, per the report.
- The rally also lacked a written security assessment or event action plan.
The other side: In a statement, Brett Parkinson, an attorney for Kirk's family, said the "buck stopped with UVU leadership and law enforcement."
- "UVU security was woefully understaffed and unprepared to manage the obvious risks associated with an event of this nature," he said. "UVU hosted this event, and in doing so, assumed responsibility for the safety of all in attendance, including Charlie."
The latest: The release comes days after Kirk's family submitted a legal notice alleging the university's security "failures" led to his death. The notice is a precursor to filing a lawsuit.
Catch up quick: The conservative activist and ally of President Trump was fatally shot by suspect Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old man from Southern Utah, in front of a crowd of about 3,000.
- Prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, say Robinson targeted Kirk over his political views.
- Robinson pleaded not guilty to all counts, including aggravated murder, earlier this month.
What they're saying: "September 10 will always be part of UVU's history, but it will not define our future. Our responsibility is to care for our community, learn from the findings of this review, and follow through on its recommendations," UVU president Jon Anderson said in a statement.
Between the lines: The school commissioned the Lake Forest Group, a security consultancy, and the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to put together the review.
What we're watching: How the review's findings could impact the Kirk family's potential legal case against the university.