OREM, Utah — When Utah Valley University officials approved the campus to host the event where Charlie Kirk was killed, they expected an audience of about 600 people, ABC News reported.
Roughly 3,000 showed up to the event on Sept. 10, according to the campus police department. Kirk was speaking at the university as part of his “American Comeback” tour.
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Security for the event consisted of a six-member detail from the Utah Valley University Police Department, as well as Kirk’s own security team. Records from the university obtained by ABC show that planners did not believe emergency medical services would be necessary.
The university’s initial expected headcount was listed at 200, before being raised to 600, according to the report.
“This event will be marketed to students. Minors or the general public may see this event and want to attend, but overall, we will be promoting it to students only,” a partially redacted questionnaire included in the release stated.
Turning Point USA issued a statement regarding the reports.
“On an online form submitted in early July, a TPUSA UVU chapter member selected “200+" as the max attendance option available on the school’s online form,” a Turning Point USA official told ABC. “An estimate of 600 was later provided a few weeks later via an event request form, which was based on a similar event the year prior at the University of Utah. Subsequent conversations between school officials and TPUSA’s Safety Team updated that estimate to 1,500 - 2,000 based on more recent Prove Me Wrong campus events. The events are un-ticketed and open to the public, including those just walking by, but PD and event coordinators estimated the attendance at approximately 3,000.”
Other records obtained through the request show that there was subsequent discussion among UVU staff and event organizers about where the event should be held to best accommodate a “large crowd.” UVU Major Event Assessment Committee Notes show that discussion about possible protests had come up during meetings.
Notes from that committee’s meeting show that while members indicated security would be needed for the event, a first aid station and additional insurance would not be needed, according to the report.
Turning Point USA told ABC that there were two UVU emergency medical personnel on site, but not an ambulance. The organization also provided a description of Kirk’s security team.
“TPUSA’s Safety Team staffed up for the event to 12 security on site (up from usual 8-9), a team comprised of ex-military and law enforcement personnel trained and equipped with a full emergency medical kit and field dressing expertise,” an official told ABC.
In response to questions from ABC, the university praised its police department and officers and reiterated plans to hire eight more officers and other personnel.
“Officers protect students, employees, visitors, and property, and take a proactive approach to crime prevention, education, and community engagement,” the university stated. “UVU is currently in the process of hiring eight additional police officers. UVU is also hiring two new security managers to provide additional oversight and support for campus events.”
