Charlie Kirk's shooting death exposes security gaps at political events

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is an example of how ordinary security measures can be defeated in an era of escalating political violence, when anyone associated with the political process is a potential target, including social media influencers.

Kirk was in a familiar setting Wednesday before a large crowd at a university in Utah, a red state where voting trends largely aligned with his conservative politics.

The firebrand appeared with his own security team, as he has at events on other campuses.

A law enforcement officer tapes off an area Wednesday after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

Those with experience protecting high-profile officials and dignitaries say more could have been done to prevent the shooting.

Security experts questioned whether the event was sufficiently staffed but also acknowledged the limitations of campus police forces and outdoor venues.

They said only the inner ring closest to Kirk appeared to be secure, leaving the outer and middle rings exposed.

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The killing, reportedly carried out from a nearby rooftop, had eerie parallels to the assassination attempt last year against Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old gunman managed to climb on top of a nearby building and open fire during a campaign stop.

Authorities said Kirk's assassin used a high-powered, bolt-action rifle and jumped off that building as spectators fled the scene.

Jeff Long, Utah Valley University chief of police, speaks at a news conference at the university Wednesday following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot on the campus in Orem.

Many details remained unclear, including what security measures were taken ahead of the debate hosted by Kirk's nonprofit political organization, Turning Point USA.

The event at Utah Valley University drew more than 3,000 people.

Hours after the attack, campus police Chief Jeff Long told reporters that six of his officers staffed the debate and his department coordinated with Kirk's security team.

He noted Kirk spoke "in a lower area surrounded by buildings" but did not say whether officers inspected nearby rooftops.

"This is a police chief's nightmare," Long said.

"You try to get your bases covered, and unfortunately today we didn't, and because of that we had this tragic incident." Students said they saw no metal detectors or bag checks, though the level of security appeared consistent with other speaking engagements on Kirk's national tour.

As Kirk was not an elected or government official, he or his organization likely would have had to pay for security beyond what the university provided.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies after being shot at Utah college event "They probably didn't have enough security personnel there," said Ron Williams, a former U.S.

Secret Service agent who now works as a private security consultant.

"And the reason is because they really didn't see the need, especially in Orem, Utah, which is a low-crime area." The debate divided opinions on the campus.

Kirk, 31, posted on social media images of news clips showing his visit to Utah sparked controversy.

"Charlie was no stranger to threats," Turning Point USA posted Thursday on one of Kirk's social media accounts.

"He received thousands throughout his life.

But he always prioritized reaching as many young Americans as possible over his own personal safety." Still, it was unclear whether Kirk received specific death threats or other indications he was in danger.

Even if he had, experts said, it can be difficult to provide airtight protection for a private individual without a presidential-level security detail.

"The Satanic Verses" novelist Salman Rushdie drew death threats from Iranian leaders for decades before he was nearly stabbed to death in 2022 by an assailant who rushed the stage as he was about to give a lecture in western New York.

Donald Trump Jr.

acknowledged the inherent security risks of political events in July as he spoke alongside Kirk at a Turning Point USA summit in Tampa, Florida.

The younger Trump recalled a 2016 campus event in which he said he appeared with Kirk even after Michigan state police warned that they could not guarantee the men's safety.

Law enforcement officers walk toward a building Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Kirk was an ardent supporter of Second Amendment rights and long argued that an armed populace makes everyone safer.

Utah is one of 14 states that allow some level of concealed carry of firearms on public college and university campuses.

In May, a law took effect allowing anyone 18 and older with a valid Utah concealed weapon permit to carry a weapon on campus.

Williams said a uniformed officer should have been posted atop the university's Losee Center, about 142 yards from the tent where Kirk was shot.

Authorities believe the gunman fired from that rooftop.

"If you have a high ground issue, you've got to take care of that first," said Williams, who protected four presidents and visiting foreign dignitaries during 22 years with the Secret Service.

High ground gives a shooter "a direct line of fire." Williams also questioned the decision to hold the event outdoors.

An inside venue, he said, would have allowed for security checkpoints.

Charlie Kirk, who helped build support for Trump among young people, dies Another former Secret Service agent, Joseph LaSorsa, said it was impossible "to secure 3,000 people" with half a dozen officers.

"They didn't have perimeter security.

They didn't have counter-sniper.

They were wide open," said LaSorsa, who protected three presidents during a 20-year-career with the Secret Service.

Kirk's security team was likely most concerned "with people rushing the stage" or bothering him as he returned to his vehicle, said Bobby McDonald, a former Secret Service supervisory agent who is a criminal-justice lecturer at the University of New Haven.

A longer-range shooting, he said, was likely not even on the radar.

"I'm not sure if there were 20 police officers there that this type of event wouldn't happen at that college setting," McDonald said.

"This person knew what they were doing with that firearm." A sheriff monitors the scene Thursday at Utah Valley University after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on the campus in Orem.

Events at colleges can be exceedingly difficult to secure, especially when they involve a controversial figure, said David B.

Mitchell, the chief of the University of Maryland Police Department.

Student groups like such speakers because they draw big crowds.

"This is going to send shock waves across college campuses," Mitchell said, because there are many similar events "happening all the time." Mitchell's 100-officer force helps secure events involving high-profile politicians and other figures due to the school's proximity to Washington.

Former President Barack Obama attended at least two University of Maryland basketball games.

Such events require extensive preparation.

"It's the Charlie Kirks of the world who don't have large security details like that certainly not to the level of the president or other elected officials and yet they can still be a target," Mitchell said.

"There is really only so much you can do, given the circumstances." Photos before and after the shooting of Charlie Kirk Charlie Kirk hands out hats Wednesday before speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Charlie Kirk speaks Wednesday before he was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.

The crowd reacts Wednesday after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at the Utah Valley University in Orem.

The crowd reacts Wednesday after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.

Law enforcement tapes off an area Wednesday after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot at the Utah Valley University in Orem.

A SWAT team heads onto the Utah Valley University campus Wednesday in Orem after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit.

Armed officers walk around the neighborhood bordering the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, knocking on doors and asking for information, after Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday during Turning Point's visit to the college.

The national headquarters of Turning Point USA is seen Wednesday in Phoenix after the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old CEO and co-founder of the organization, during a Utah college event.

A well-wisher, front, receives a hug from a member of security Wednesday as he drops off flowers at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's CEO.

A well-wisher is overcome Wednesday after dropping off flowers at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix after the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's CEO.

A worker lowers the American flag to half-staff Wednesday on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting.

People take photos after the American flag was lowered to half-staff Wednesday on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington after Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed in a shooting.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to reporters Wednesday at the Capitol in Washington about the shooting of Turning Point USA co-founder and CEO Charlie Kirk.

Flowers are seen Wednesday outside the Keller Building on the Utah Valley University campus after news broke that Charlie Kirk died after he was shot earlier during Turning Point's visit to the university in Orem.

Police arrive at the national headquarters of Turning Point USA in Phoenix shown after the Wednesday shooting death of Charlie Kirk, the organization's co-founder and CEO.

Allison Hemingway-Witty cries Wednesday after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit to Utah Valley University in Orem.

Utah Highway Patrol vehicles park outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital on Wednesday in Orem, Utah.

Joseph Vogl stands outside Timpanogos Regional Hospital on Wednesday in Orem, Utah.

Cecilia Garcia and Dawn Thomas react Wednesday in Westminster, Calif., as they learn the news on social media of conservative activist Charlie Kirk being shot at a college event in Utah.

Police work Wednesday on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem after Charlie Kirk was shot during Turning Point's visit.

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