University outlines response to findings, including safety initiatives already underway and creation of a new Chief Public Safety Officer position
Utah Valley University today released an independent external review of the events surrounding the September 10, 2025, assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Commissioned by UVU, the review examined the university’s planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. Its findings and recommendations identify ways to strengthen campus safety, event planning, and emergency preparedness.
“It is the opinion of the Project Team, based on our review of all available information, that at no time during the events leading up to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, or in its aftermath, did any employee or agent of UVU act in bad faith or in willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others,” the review said.
The report recognized UVU’s established foundation of campus safety policies, personnel, and resources, and identified a need for more consistent implementation, clearer responsibilities, and stronger coordination during major events and emergencies.
To strengthen coordination and accountability, UVU has created a Chief Public Safety Officer position. The university expects to hire the position later this year. The Chief Public Safety Officer will coordinate campus police, emergency management, fire safety, and campus and event security and oversee implementation of many of the review’s recommendations.
Other efforts underway include required safety training, strengthened event security planning and ticketing procedures, and closer coordination with external law enforcement agencies.
“September 10 will always be part of UVU’s history, but it will not define our future. Our responsibility is to care for our community, learn from the findings of this review, and follow through on its recommendations. This requires humility, an honest examination of our policies and practices, and a commitment to act on what we learn," UVU President Jon Anderson said. “It was reassuring to see that several recommendations from the external report align with changes already completed or underway, and this review will help guide the work ahead.”
The review was conducted by a consortium of independent experts from Robert L. Davis LLC, Doherty Advisory LLC, The Lake Forest Group, and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP. The project team examined events leading up to, during, and immediately following the shooting. The team performed site visits, conducted more than 70 interviews and examined thousands of pages of university policies, training materials, operational records, digital evidence, and dispatch and communication records.
The review team combined legal and investigative expertise in law enforcement, campus safety, physical security, emergency preparedness, threat assessment, and crisis communications. The findings and recommendations are those of the independent review team.
“Our commitment does not end with this report,” Anderson said. “Its findings will guide our continued safety efforts as we move forward together with care, civility, and resilience.”
The full report, a summary of its findings, and actions completed or underway are available at uvu.edu/externalreview.
