Kirk’s Family Alleges Wrongful Death Against UVU

Charlie Kirk’s family announced a wrongful death notice Wednesday, paving the way for a potential lawsuit against Utah Valley University officials, who, they allege, did not provide proper security at the outdoor event where Kirk was killed on Sept. 10, 2025, the Associated Press and other news organizations reported.

A rooftop sniper fatally shot Kirk at a university-approved event hosted by his conservative student organization, Turning Point USA. Kirk’s estate and heirs filed the notice against the university, its former president, its police department and the state of Utah, alleging that the shooting “came against a well-known backdrop of risk” and was the result of a “series of stunning failures and reckless decisions.”

“Those decisions ultimately rendered Mr. Kirk helpless to the rooftop shooter in an assassination that could have been avoided had the UVU Parties only taken reasonable steps to plan and oversee a safe event,” the notice reads. 

It is dated Sept. 9—a day shy of the one-year anniversary of Kirk’s death, which marks the statute of limitations for signaling a potential lawsuit. Under Utah law, a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within two years of the death.

The notice states that students had flagged concerns about easy access to surrounding rooftops and that the risk of such a shooting “should have been especially top-of-mind given the attempted assassination of President Trump, Charlie Kirk’s close friend and political ally, by a rooftop shooter the previous year.” 

A review conducted by the Associated Press following the incident showed that UVU did not fly a drone over the event, which drew about 3,000 attendees, nor did it conduct bag checks or use metal detectors—practices that AP noted are standard safeguards at major public events.

A UVU spokesperson told the AP that the university was aware of the notice and would address it in a manner “consistent with our established processes.” The news organization also contacted the Utah Attorney General’s Office, which said it does not comment on potential litigation.