# Kirk Family Blames UVU: 'Chief Said I Got You Covered'

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/kirk-family-blames-uvu-chief-said-i-got-you-covered
- Published: 2026-09-17T01:02:07.725732+00:00
- Topics: charlie-kirk, campus-security, assassination, lawsuit, utah-valley-university

## What the left says
- An Associated Press review confirmed the campus lacked several standard security measures used at similar events nationwide, including drone surveillance of rooftops, adequate police staffing, bag checks, and metal detectors.
- The lawsuit notice highlights a pattern of political violence in recent years, including the rooftop attack on Trump, the killing of a Minnesota legislator, and the attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband, suggesting institutions should have been more prepared for this type of threat.
- Campus police staffing was far below recommended levels for a university of that size, raising broader questions about whether public institutions are adequately funding and planning for security at high-profile, politically charged events.
- The university has acknowledged the notice of claim and stated that it addresses legal matters through proper channels, signaling it may contest the specific allegations of negligence.

## What the right says
- Turning Point USA officials specifically flagged the rooftop access risk to UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long in advance, and he assured them 'I got you covered,' yet the rooftop was never secured.
- The family's attorney argues the assassination was 'entirely preventable' and would not have occurred had Utah and UVU followed through on the security promises they had already made.
- The claim raises a 'state-created danger' constitutional argument, asserting that officials' assurances of safety left Kirk and his team relying on protections that were never actually put in place.
- The filing underscores that this was a widely publicized, high-risk event given Kirk's prominence and the recent history of political violence, making the alleged security failures especially egregious in the family's view.

## Common ground
- Charlie Kirk was fatally shot by a rooftop sniper on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University attended by roughly 3,000 people.
- A notice of claim was filed Sept. 9, 2025, naming the State of Utah, UVU, its police department, Chief Jeffrey Long, and former president Astrid Tuminez as prospective defendants.
- Turning Point USA raised concerns about rooftop access near the event beforehand, and Chief Long responded 'I got you covered.'
- Tyler Robinson has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting and could face the death penalty if convicted.

## Sources
- [CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/charlie-kirk-family-wrongful-death-notice-utah-officials-assassination/) (Lean Left)
- [ABC News](https://abcnews.com/US/charlie-kirks-family-signals-intent-sue-alleging-stunning/story?id=136473715) (Lean Left)
- [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/17/opinions/us-tax-system-wealthy-disney-pearl/index.html) (Lean Left)
- [Daily Wire](https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-kirk-family-takes-legal-action-against-utah-valley-university-for-fatal-security-failures) (Right)
- [Just The News](https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/charlie-kirks-family-alleges-uvu-security-failures-led-his-wrongful-death?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators) (Right)
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/16/us-news/charlie-kirks-family-takes-first-steps-to-filing-lawsuit-blaming-lax-security-for-leaving-him-helpless-to-assassination/) (Lean Right)
- [The Federalist](https://thefederalist.com/2026/09/16/notice-a-series-of-stunning-failures-left-charlie-kirk-a-target-for-assassination/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=notice-a-series-of-stunning-failures-left-charlie-kirk-a-target-for-assassination) (Right)

---
Content by TwoTakes (https://twotakes.us). You may quote, summarize and cite it, including in AI answers, as long as you credit TwoTakes and link the story URL. Original reporting belongs to the linked outlets. Summaries are AI-assisted and reviewed for balance; check the original sources for authoritative reporting.