Brian Harpole, head of security for Charlie Kirk, shared a troubling account in a recent interview regarding the security measures—or lack thereof—leading up to Kirk’s tragic shooting on September 10. The details he revealed raise serious questions about communication and preparedness from local law enforcement at Utah Valley University (UVU).
During his interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, Harpole disclosed text messages exchanged with UVU Police Chief Jeff Long. The messages highlighted serious concerns about rooftop access before the event where Kirk would be speaking. Harpole informed Chief Long that students could access rooftops above the area where Kirk was set to address attendees. In response to Harpole’s request for security on the rooftops, Chief Long affirmed, “I got you covered.” This promise turned out to be misleading, as no law enforcement personnel were stationed on the rooftops during the event.
Harpole expressed his concerns about the implications of their conversation. “Why this hasn’t come out and why he won’t stand up like a man and admit this, I don’t know,” he said. This statement illustrates the frustration surrounding what was a critical security weakness. Despite prior planning meetings, UVU and the Orem Police Department failed to implement necessary security measures, including deploying drone reconnaissance and rooftop sniper coverage.
Compounding the situation, Harpole noted that while local drone units were present, they were never utilized. “The drones were available, but UVU never requested them,” he explained. This clearly indicates a gap in operational communication and the urgency needed to protect Kirk and those attending the event. Harpole further explained that his private security team was restricted from using drones due to airspace limitations, which further limited their ability to monitor the situation.
After the shooting, which involved a single rifle round fired from a scoped Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old with controversial affiliations, was arrested as the suspect. He now faces severe charges, including the possibility of the death penalty if convicted.
The situation begs the question: How could such critical oversights occur in what should have been a well-coordinated security operation? Harpole’s comments highlight the necessity for accountability and transparency in security preparations for public events. The assurances from law enforcement should hold weight, but when they do not manifest in action, they pose dire consequences.
This incident has cast a long shadow on the reliability of police assurances and the overarching responsibility of law enforcement in protecting public figures. As the investigation continues, it will be imperative to scrutinize the gaps in security measures that led to this tragedy.
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