Charlie Kirk’s family has filed a legal notice alleging that Utah Valley University (UVU) and state officials failed to prevent his fatal shooting during a public event in September 2025. The notice, dated 9 September, is a required step under state law before a formal lawsuit can be filed. It names UVU, its then-president Astrid Tuminez, campus police chief Jeffrey Long, and the state of Utah as potential defendants. The family claims UVU’s ‘reckless decisions’ left Kirk exposed to a rooftop sniper, who fired a fatal shot from over 400ft away.

The family’s attorney, D Loren Washburn, stated that UVU did not implement standard safety measures, including drone monitoring, bag checks, or coordination with local law enforcement. The university’s campus police staffing was below recommended levels for a school of that size. Washburn also highlighted the risk of a rooftop shooter, citing an attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Pennsylvania in July 2024. He described Trump as a ‘close friend and political ally’ of Kirk.

UVU has not issued a detailed response but stated it is aware of the notice and will address it ‘consistent with our established processes.’ A spokesperson, Sharon Turner, said the university’s focus remains on supporting its campus community. The Utah attorney general’s office declined to comment on potential litigation. The family’s notice alleges additional lapses, including inadequate risk assessment, failure to establish a secure perimeter, and lack of immediate first responders, which resulted in Kirk being transported to a hospital in a private vehicle.

Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old Utah resident, has been charged with aggravated murder and is set to appear in court to determine his trial date. Prosecutors presented evidence including surveillance footage, DNA tests, and a handwritten note from Robinson to his romantic partner, which read: ‘I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.’ Kirk’s parents and widow attended the preliminary hearing.

State law allows heirs or personal representatives of deceased individuals to file lawsuits for damages if the death was caused by a wrongful act or negligence. The family’s notice does not specify the damages they may seek. UVU has stated it is expanding its police force following the shooting. The case remains under investigation, and further details about the family’s legal claims or potential settlement remain unknown.