The tragic assassination of Turning Point USA's founder, Charlie Kirk, at Utah Valley University has sparked a fervent discussion about campus security measures. Tyler Bowyer, the Chief Operating Officer of Turning Point USA, recently shared insights into the security breakdown that he believes contributed to this devastating event.
During an episode of the Culture Apothecary podcast, hosted by Alex Clark, Bowyer outlined the security protocols typically in place for events like the one where Kirk was killed. He described a partnership where Turning Point USA's security team focuses on the immediate protection of the speaker, while local law enforcement, in this case, university police, oversees the broader security parameters, including rooftops and surrounding areas.
Bowyer criticized the failure to utilize drone technology as a key oversight. "Every single event that's held is a combination of our security team working with the local police. In this case, on university campuses, it’s the university police,” Bowyer explained. He lamented the fact that despite TPUSA's own drone program, they were not permitted to deploy drones by the campus police, nor did the university police use their own.
The loss of Charlie Kirk has deeply affected those close to him, as evidenced by Bowyer's words and social media posts. "The team loved Charlie like a brother and would have taken a bullet for him," he said, underscoring the emotional weight his security staff is bearing. Bowyer's tweets reflect a mixture of grief and frustration, as he and others grapple with the aftermath of the assassination and the scrutiny that has followed.
Discussions on social media have brought to light the public's concern over the apparent security lapses. Commenters questioned why there wasn't a more thorough surveillance of potential vantage points, like rooftops, which could have been monitored by drones. Bowyer responded to these concerns, emphasizing the responsibility of the campus police and suggesting that an effective drone program could have been the "fail-proof backup" to the physical securing of the roof.
The conversation has extended beyond this specific incident to the broader implications for campus security protocols. Bowyer advocates for a change in standard procedures, arguing that drone surveillance should be mandatory for high-profile events on college campuses.
As the trial of Kirk's assassin approaches, Bowyer predicts that these security failures will come to the forefront, possibly influencing future policy on campus safety measures. The poignant discussion raises questions about the balance between reliance on law enforcement and the need for organizations to take additional steps to ensure their own security, especially during events that draw large crowds and public attention.
The conversation continues, with many expressing sympathy for Kirk's team and the challenges they face moving forward. The lessons gleaned from this tragedy may well lead to significant changes in how security is managed at public events, particularly on university grounds.
