The Utah college where conservative leader Charlie Kirk was assassinated lacked several key public safety measures and practices that have become standard safeguards for security at events around the country, an investigation has uncovered.
Utah Valley University’s outdoor courtyard, where Kirk spoke on September 10 to debate students, was poorly monitored, leaving him vulnerable. Campus police did not utilize drones for aerial surveillance and only deployed six officers—far fewer than necessary for an event drawing a crowd of 3,000. Additionally, no bag checks or metal detectors were employed.
A sniper positioned on a nearby roof fatally shot Kirk with a single bullet, evading detection by campus police.
Calls for an inquiry into the university's security measures are growing, with former security officials highlighting significant lapses in protocol. Greg Shaffer, who managed Kirk's security in previous years, noted, Absolutely there were security failures; it left him exposed. During a recent interview, UVU President Astrid Tuminez acknowledged the tragedy but refrained from discussing detailed security failures, citing a pending external review.
Inadequate Security Infrastructure
Despite the perfect conditions for drone evaluation of the surrounding area, the university failed to deploy any aerial technology. Experts emphasized that rooftop attacks are a recognized threat, as evidenced by an incident involving a sniper at a Trump rally.
Ty Richmond from Allied Universal pointed out that drones and comprehensive video surveillance are essential for outdoor events. The absence of such security measurers was alarming.
UVU's police department, which has an enrollment exceeding 48,000, deploys just one officer for every 1,400 students—a stark contrast to the national average of one officer for every 500 at public universities. This disparity illustrates systemic failures in ensuring campus safety.
The Aftermath of Kirk’s Assassination
Utah lawmakers are under pressure to reevaluate security protocols at public universities, particularly in light of Kirk's assassination. Rep. Ryan Wilcox proposed a bill requiring security assessments at public universities, highlighting the need for rigorous evaluations of safety infrastructure.
As the investigation unfolds, there are pressing questions about how safety provisions can be improved to prevent such tragedies in the future. With calls for action from both lawmakers and the public, the UVU community anticipates significant changes in campus security arrangements.
With an urgent focus on safety, this incident could serve as a catalyst for wide-ranging policy reforms aimed at bolstering security at educational institutions across the nation.
