Kirk Family Plans Wrongful Death Suit Against Utah Valley University, Others

Charlie Kirk’s family announced plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that security failures contributed to the fatal shooting of the conservative commentator last year.

In a Sept. 9 legal notice, the plaintiffs assert that the defendants’ failures “led to the assassination” and that the university and others were negligent in providing security for the event where he was killed.

“Charlie Kirk was a once-in-a-lifetime public and political figure,” the notice said, noting that Kirk’s death occurred “when political violence had hit a fever pitch.”

The notice was sent to the Office of the Utah Attorney General the day before the first anniversary of Kirk’s death.

It named the state of Utah, Utah Valley University, the Utah Valley University Police Department and its Police Chief Jeffrey Long, former university President Astrid Tuminez, and others, as subjects of the suit.

Additionally, Turning Point USA claims to have notified the university police about security risks, specifically those posed by rooftops overlooking the amphitheater where Kirk made his final remarks.

The suit, which has not yet been filed, would be brought by Kirk’s estate, his heirs, his wife Erika Kirk, the late Turning Point USA founder’s parents, Robert and Kathryn Kirk, and others.

The notice says that university police failed to control access to the rooftop from where the shooter aimed.

Utah Valley University and its police department, as well as other defendants, did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.

A representative from the Utah Attorney General’s office responded by asking that The Epoch Times direct inquiries to the university.

Tyler Robinson, 23, has been charged with Kirk’s killing, and the state of Utah is seeking the death penalty. Robinson has pleaded not guilty.

The accused assassin allegedly sent text messages that are consistent with a plan to permanently silence Kirk, the prosecution said.

The trial date is expected to be set at a hearing in late October. During a Sept. 1 preliminary hearing, the prosecution alleged that Robinson had motive, means, and opportunity to kill Kirk.

Utah Fourth District Court Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruled that the prosecution demonstrated probable cause during the hearing. Robinson will stand trial for seven charges, including aggravated murder.

The other charges include two counts of obstructing justice, two counts of witness tampering, along with causing serious bodily harm by discharging a firearm, and committing violence in the presence of a child.

Testimony during a July evidentiary hearing indicated that Robinson asked his former roommate and romantic partner to delete messages from Robinson. The male roommate also offered to record testimony stating that Robinson cried and voiced regret after the Kirk shooting.

In Robinson’s text messages, he allegedly admitted responsibility and explained his motive, as well as outlining a week of planning before the shooting took place.

Darlene McCormick Sanchez contributed to this report.