Kirk Family Cites Police Text to Challenge Utah Immunity Law

Legal experts see a pathway for Charlie Kirk's family to sue Utah and Utah Valley University over his death, despite the state's tough shield law. A text message from UVU Police Chief Jeffrey Long—allegedly assuring Turning Point USA organizers "I got you covered" on rooftop security—could give Kirk's family a way around the Utah Governmental Immunity Act shielding government entities and employees from many civil damage claims, Maryland-based trial attorney Randolph Rice tells Fox News.

Kirk's family has filed a notice accusing officials of failing to secure rooftops overlooking the campus quad where a sniper allegedly killed Kirk. Their lawyers say they relied on the chief's assurance after raising concerns. In reality, no officers were monitoring nearby rooftops or cameras as the suspect moved around, says the family's counsel. "[Kirk's] murder was entirely preventable and, in fact, would not have happened had the State of Utah and UVU followed through on their stated security promises," adds attorney Brett Parkinson. Other attorneys note that Utah's immunity law is broader than most and protects officials even with proven recklessness in a battery or wrongful death case, per the New York Post.