The silence following Charlie Kirk’s death at Utah Valley University was broken by a chilling revelation: the tragedy wasn’t simply an act of violence, but a consequence of preventable failures. Brian Harpole, the security director tasked with protecting Kirk, spoke with stark honesty about the events leading up to September 10th, exposing a system riddled with miscommunication and overlooked warnings.
Harpole, a seasoned law enforcement veteran, detailed how his team repeatedly voiced concerns about vulnerabilities – specifically, unprotected rooftops, the potential for drone interference, and insufficient staffing. Each warning, he says, met with assurances that proved tragically hollow. “We were told the roof was covered,” Harpole recounted, remembering a direct promise from a local police chief. “I took him at his word.”
This wasn’t a situation where security personnel were unprepared. Harpole’s team had faced hostile environments before. He vividly recalled a Turning Point USA event in San Francisco where protesters overwhelmed barriers, forcing his team into a desperate struggle for escape with minimal police assistance. That experience fueled his urgent requests for increased security in Utah, including aerial surveillance.
The open-air venue, surrounded by elevated terrain, demanded a heightened level of vigilance. Harpole’s team specifically requested additional officers and drone support, anticipating the potential for a coordinated attack. Yet, they were repeatedly told everything was “handled.” Despite bringing nearly double their usual staffing – twelve contractors – their operational capacity was severely restricted by jurisdictional boundaries.
Their protective perimeter extended only thirty meters around the stage, a “bubble” within which they could operate, but beyond which their authority vanished. Arrests, blocking access to buildings – these were the responsibilities of local law enforcement. Crucially, the Orem Police Department, equipped with both a drone and a SWAT unit, was never asked for assistance, despite a standing mutual-aid agreement.
The precision of the threat was terrifying. Harpole explained that a shift of just a few meters – three to the right or ten to the left – would have rendered a shot impossible. His team even prepared to deploy their own drones for overwatch, but were blocked by FAA regulations and campus restrictions. “This is Utah, not Iraq,” he stated, highlighting the limitations imposed upon them.
For nearly two weeks, Harpole’s team coordinated with UVU officials, relying on campus police to secure rooftops and provide aerial coverage. But the promised security never materialized. The core issue, he emphasized, was a breakdown in clear lines of authority. His team was constrained by their jurisdiction, and those who *could* have acted, didn’t.
Despite building robust physical barriers – concentric zones, presidential-style barricades, and vehicle hardpoints – these measures proved insufficient to compensate for the critical gaps in police coverage. The investigation, led by the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Utah County Attorney’s Office, has resulted in capital murder charges against Tyler James Robinson, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
Utah Valley University has initiated an internal review and commissioned an independent third-party analysis, promising to make the findings public. The university also announced plans to hire eight additional police officers and two new security managers, signaling a commitment to bolstering campus safety. However, Harpole’s motivation for speaking out wasn’t about assigning blame, but about preventing future tragedies.
“Just show the facts,” he implored. “If mistakes were made, fix them so it never happens again.” The ongoing review at UVU aims to guide new safety policies and staffing expansions, not just for the university, but for the entire Utah higher education system. The hope is that from this devastating loss, a more secure future for campus events can emerge.
