By Andrew Hay
Sept 16 (Reuters) - The family of conservative U.S. political activist Charlie Kirk plans to sue a Utah university over his fatal shooting there, alleging inadequate security contributed to his death, according to a notice of claim sent by the family's lawyers.
A September 9 letter from the family's law firm notified Utah Valley University and the State of Utah of its intent to seek damages over Kirk's September 10, 2025, killing, according to a copy of the document sent to media.
The notice alleges that Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, warned university police about security risks posed by rooftops overlooking the university's amphitheater where he was due to speak. According to the notice, the university police chief responded in a text message to a Turning Point USA staff member: "I got you covered."
The notice says that university police failed to control access to the rooftop from which Kirk was shot.
Utah Valley University said it was aware of the notice of claim — a document that must be filed to warn a public entity of plans to sue it.
"UVU addresses legal matters consistent with our established processes. Our focus remains on supporting our campus community," the university said in a statement. Tyler Robinson, 23, a former electrical apprentice, is accused of shooting Kirk from the roof of the university's student resource center. Utah prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Robinson was in a relationship with Lance Twiggs, who was considering gender transition, and Robinson targeted Kirk for his views against gay marriage and transgender rights, prosecutors allege. Though Kirk spoke "hatefully" about people who were not heterosexual or gender norm-conforming, that does not rise to evidence of motive, defense attorney Richard Novak has said in court.
Robinson has pleaded not guilty. A trial date is expected to be set at an October 23 hearing.
(Reporting by Andrew Hay in New Mexico; editing by Donna Bryson, Sanjeev Miglani, Rod Nickel)
