Utah State University taking several security measures ahead of Turning Point USA event

LOGAN, Utah (ABC4) — Utah State University (USU) is taking several security measures ahead of Tuesday night’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event.

Amanda DeRito, Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications at USU, confirmed that the school is taking several security measures and that the event will take place in an indoor venue at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

“With respect to the original events TPUSA had scheduled on our campus, USU Public Safety began planning immediately upon notification that one of our student clubs had extended the invitation to them,” DeRito said.

DeRito said that USU will work with the student club, TPUSA, and local, state, and federal officials to ensure that those in attendance remain safe. She also said the following:

“USU works diligently to protect the safety of our community and has a robust plan that is evaluated routinely. Even during times without heightened safety concerns, Utah State’s Department of Public Safety collaborates with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure security measures at campus events are planned and staffed according to industry best practices, including a thorough comprehensive threat assessment, detailed security planning, deployment of a diverse array of security assets, effective crowd management, close protection for the speaker, clear communication and coordination, and readiness for crisis response.”

Additionally, DeRito said that USU consistently tests security systems on campus.

Prior to the event, Former Rep. Chaffetz spoke to ABC4 about the need for security at the event.

“Political violence, unfortunately, is real. I mean, we saw the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we saw a bombing of an LDS temple, although that may not have been political as much as religious, we saw the assassination attempt of President Trump twice. We shouldn’t be like this. We expect more, but I’m glad to see law enforcement stepping up. I think everybody can take a deep breath and say hey, they’re on top of it,” he said.

Chaffetz added that hopefully political violence will go away at some point, but for now, there is a need for enhanced security.

American Comeback Tour

Charlie Kirk, a conservative influencer, was shot and killed while at a rally on the Utah Valley University campus.

Kirk, a conservative influencer and co-founder of TPUSA, was appearing for the American Comeback Tour hosted by the TPUSA chapter at UVU.

UVU was the first stop on the campus tour.

Following his death, Kirk’s wife, Erika, confirmed that TPUSA would continue the tour.