UVU begins independent security review, creates memorial committee after Charlie Kirk shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Valley University officials have initiated what they call a comprehensive and independent review in response to an on-campus assassination on Sept. 10. 

On that day, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was speaking at the organization’s “Prove Me Wrong” tour at UVU when he was shot and killed. The speaking engagement was set up in an outdoor space on the campus, and the shooter is believed to have been lying in wait on a nearby rooftop. 

The university previously said six police offers were on duty, monitoring the Kirk event on the day he was shot. There were also members of Kirk’s security team, as well as officers in plainclothes.

However, bags brought to the event by students and others weren’t checked, according to attendees who spoke with KSL and ABC News. Nearby rooftops were also not checked, as far as they could tell.

“We believe the findings of the comprehensive, third-party independent review of this targeted act of violence will offer valuable insights on how college campuses improve response and preparedness moving forward,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, UVU president. “We will integrate the findings into our efforts to strengthen and improve safety practices for UVU and all of Utah higher education.”

The school has declined to say which firm has been retained by the school to complete the security review pending the ongoing investigation, but Utah lawmakers said last week they’re interested in learning from its results.

For them, the security review will help them understand what needs to be done next, after a proposal in the 2025 legislative session was removed from a high-profile bill. 

UVU leadership issued the following statement Monday afternoon:

Safety and security are the top priorities at Utah Valley University (UVU). In response to the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10, UVU has implemented several measures to protect its staff, faculty and students. Although operational details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, one significant step includes an increased law enforcement presence on campus, in collaboration with local and state law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, UVU is initiating an independent review with an external organization, as detailed in the attached news release dated Sept. 22, 2025. This review aims to enhance safety practices both at UVU and within Utah Higher Education. The comprehensive and independent third-party analysis of this targeted act of violence will be made public once complete and will provide valuable insights into improving safety and security on college campuses. UVU is committed to integrating these findings into its safety protocols to benefit UVU and the broader Utah higher education community.

To ensure an impartial review and in support of ongoing campus security, UVU will not discuss specific security measures in place on Sept. 10th, beyond what it has already shared publicly, until the review is complete. Once the details of the independent review are finalized, UVU will share additional information.”

Senate President Stuart Adams shared his support for the security review with KSL NewsRadio.

“Utah has a tradition of responding with integrity, strength and unwavering resolve,” he said. “We support Utah Valley University’s decision to initiate an independent review through an external organization.”

Utah State Sen. Ann Millner is also on board with the security review

“There’s no place for violence here in Utah on our college campuses or in this country. Our universities must remain marketplaces of ideas, places where students, faculty and the broader community can engage in an open, respectful and vigorous debate,” Millner said in a meeting with Utah Legislature’s School Security Task Force. “We must foster environments where differing opinions can be expressed without fear and where disagreements never turn into violence.”

She said they expect meaningful results from the security review.

“We expect the findings will provide valuable insights into how we can strengthen safety practices for UVU and all of Utah’s higher education institutions,” Millner said.

UVU to develop Kirk memorial

Also on Monday, UVU officials announced they will create a committee with the goal of developing a memorial for Kirk — an idea that’s already been contested by a petition online with over 11,600 signatures. A second petition was created for those supporting the memorial, which garnered nearly 1,800 signatures as of Monday.

According to the school, the “UVU Memorial Committee” will consist of Scott M. Smith, chair of the UVU Board of Trustees, and Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education. 

UVU students will also be represented on the committee. 

“As a committee, we will listen to community voices and carefully consider the many perspectives surrounding this memorial,” Covington said. “This is an important process, and we are committed to approaching it with thoughtfulness and respect.”

The public can share ideas and stay updated on the memorial’s progress by visiting the memorial’s webpage. 

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Contributing: Daniel Woodruff, KSL TV, Heather Peterson, KSL NewsRadio and Emma Benson, KSL TV