Charlie Kirk Family Faults UVU And Utah In New Wrongful-Death Claim
Charlie Kirk's family announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, that they served a wrongful-death notice dated September 9 alleging Utah Valley University (UVU) and the State of Utah failed to protect him at a campus event.[1]
The filing says a series of "reckless decisions" by UVU officials left Kirk exposed to a rooftop sniper who fired from more than 400 feet away, and it names then-UVU President Astrid Tuminez, UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long, the campus police department, Utah Valley University and the State of Utah as parties.[1] The notice says about 3,000 people attended the outdoor courtyard event, which was surrounded by tall buildings, and alleges UVU did not use drones to monitor rooftops, coordinate with local law enforcement, or employ bag checks or metal detectors.[1] Attorneys additionally allege officials failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment, did not establish a secure perimeter, and had no first responders immediately available, resulting in Kirk being transported to a hospital in a private vehicle instead of by ambulance.[1]
On September 10, 2025, prosecutors say Kirk was shot during the outdoor event by a rooftop sniper who fired from more than 400 feet away.[1] Prosecutors say accused shooter Tyler Robinson told his romantic partner he "had enough of his (Kirk's) hatred," and they argue Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs, knowing children were present.[1] A judge on September 1, 2026 ordered Robinson's aggravated-murder case — which could carry the death penalty — to proceed toward trial, though no trial date has been set.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The family's wrongful-death notice is dated September 9, 2026 and was publicly announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
- The notice alleges a series of "reckless decisions" by Utah Valley University officials left Charlie Kirk exposed to a rooftop sniper who fired from more than 400 feet away during the September 10, 2025 event.
- The filing says about 3,000 people attended the outdoor courtyard event, which was surrounded by tall buildings, and alleges UVU did not use drones to monitor rooftops, coordinate with local law enforcement, or employ bag checks or metal detectors.
- Attorneys for the family additionally allege officials failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment, did not establish a secure perimeter, and had no first responders immediately available, resulting in Kirk being transported to a hospital in a private vehicle instead of by ambulance.
- The notice names then-UVU President Astrid Tuminez, UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long, the campus police department, Utah Valley University and the State of Utah as parties and is a required step under Utah law before a formal wrongful-death lawsuit can be filed.
- Prosecutors say accused shooter Tyler Robinson told his romantic partner he "had enough of his (Kirk's) hatred," and they argue Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs, knowing children were present.
- On September 1, 2026 a judge ordered Robinson's aggravated-murder case — which could carry the death penalty — to proceed toward trial, though no trial date has been set.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- The wrongful-death notice from Charlie Kirk's family is dated September 9, 2026, and was publicly announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
- The notice alleges that a series of "reckless decisions" by Utah Valley University officials left Kirk exposed to a rooftop sniper who fired from more than 400 feet away during the September 10, 2025 event.
- The filing underscores that about 3,000 people attended the outdoor courtyard event, which was surrounded by tall buildings, and that UVU did not use drones to monitor rooftops, coordinate with local law enforcement, or employ bag checks or metal detectors.
- Attorneys for the family additionally allege officials failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment, did not establish a secure perimeter, and had no first responders immediately available, leading to Kirk being transported to a hospital in a private vehicle instead of by ambulance.
- The notice names then-UVU President Astrid Tuminez, UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long, the campus police department, Utah Valley University itself, and the State of Utah as parties, and is a required step under Utah law before a formal wrongful-death lawsuit can be filed.
- Prosecutors say accused shooter Tyler Robinson told his romantic partner he "had enough of his (Kirk's) hatred," and they argue Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs, knowing children were present.
- On September 1, 2026, a judge ordered Robinson's aggravated-murder case, which could carry the death penalty, to proceed toward trial, although no trial date has been set.