The recent shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University (UVU) has raised significant security concerns. Experts are questioning the safety measures in place during the outdoor event where Kirk was speaking. The incident occurred on Wednesday, drawing a crowd of over 3,000 people to the Orem, Utah, campus.

Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the throat by a gunman using a high-powered bolt-action rifle. The shooter, identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, fired from a rooftop a considerable distance away from the stage. Authorities reported that Robinson was arrested on Friday night after his father recognized him from surveillance footage released by law enforcement.

Chief Jeff Long of the UVU campus police department described the situation as a "police chief's nightmare" during a news conference. He noted that the event was open to the general public, not just students. Long stated that he coordinated with Kirk's private security team to establish security protocols for the event, which was part of Kirk's nationwide tour called The American Comeback Tour.

"We worked together. He has his team and they do this all over the country. We all know that. It's not uncommon for them. They're very comfortable on campuses," Long said. He mentioned that six campus police officers were present, including some in plainclothes monitoring the crowd.

Despite these measures, witnesses reported a lack of security at the event. Jasmine Martinez, a mother of five, expressed her surprise at the absence of security checks. "We walked in, we were kind of surprised because there was like no security check. They didn't check us for IDs. They didn't pat us down. You just walked in," she said.

Justin Hicken, another attendee, echoed her sentiments, noting that he was not scrutinized upon entering. He described the courtyard where the event took place as a pit-like amphitheater that opened up after passing through campus buildings. Hicken observed a diverse crowd, including families and elderly individuals, with a majority appearing supportive of Kirk.

Prior to the event, an online petition circulated, urging UVU officials to prevent Kirk from speaking on campus. The petition, which garnered over 900 signatures, criticized Kirk for his divisive rhetoric. In response, the university affirmed its commitment to free speech and constructive dialogue, stating, "The university respects the rights of all individuals to express their views, even when those views may be controversial."

The tragic shooting has prompted discussions about the adequacy of security measures at public events, especially those involving high-profile speakers.