The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), during a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University (UVU) on September 10th, has left many questioning the security measures in place.
Kirk was engaged in a debate with attendees when the tragic incident occurred. Brian Harpole, the head of Kirk's security detail from Integrity Security Solutions, has now revealed that he had alerted UVU police about potential security risks days before the assassination.
According to the Western Journal, Harpole shared his concerns with Shawn Ryan on "The Shawn Ryan Show." He read out text messages he had allegedly sent to UVU's police chief, warning about the rooftop that was later used by Kirk's alleged assassin. The messages were reportedly sent on September 8th, two days before the fatal incident.
Harpole expressed his frustration with the police chief's silence, stating, "We have some correspondence with the chief of the school uh on that day, on Monday, before Charlie was killed and why this hadnt come out and why he wont stand up like a man and admit this, I dont know, but hes watching a bunch of men lose their careers and hes OK with it."
The text messages sent to Chief Long read, "Hello, Chief Long. We received this message today from the student group. 'There is a student roof access pretty close to where CK will be set up at the Utah Valley. (The Sorenson Center has a couple of staircases that go up to walkways on the roofs.)
Harpole further explained the correspondence, "He comes back and the so, for edification, the Sorenson Center was the building in front of the Losee Center, and so, he comes back, he says You want, uh, access to the roof? and came back and said, I was told students have access above us."
Harpole had requested for controlled access or to have one of his men stationed there, if possible. The last correspondence from the chief was, "I got you covered." Harpole questioned, "What else am I to do when a command-level person from an accredited police department says, Ive got this area.?
Shawn Ryan responded to these revelations with a shocked, "Holy s***."
UVU has not yet responded to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation. A video released after the assassination shows the alleged gunman escaping by dropping off the roof and fleeing. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson on September 12th, accusing him of fatally shooting Kirk.
Ryan commented on the situation, saying, "So, literally, all they had to do is post anybody at that stairwell."
The tragic incident has raised serious questions about the security measures in place at UVU and the accountability of those responsible for ensuring the safety of individuals during such events. The silence from the university and the police chief, despite Harpole's warnings, adds to the gravity of the situation.
As investigations continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned to prevent such incidents in the future.
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