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University of Utah Student Arrested After Threatening Conservative Debaters at Campus Event

The incident is sharpening Utah’s push to strengthen campus security in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

University of Utah police maintain a presence outside the J. Willard Marriott Library as the Utah Federation of College Republicans holds a Reawaken Tour open mic debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
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Overview

  • The university said Dean Stewart, 21, was arrested Jan. 12 and cited for disorderly conduct, making threats, and disobeying a lawful order before being booked and released.
  • Video and police reports describe Stewart telling participants "You should die" and "I'm going to Kirk you" while miming the cocking and firing of a rifle toward them.
  • Arrest records reported additional charges of threat of violence and interfering with a peace officer, with bail set at $1,000.
  • The confrontation occurred outside the Marriott Library during a two-day public forum hosted by ReAwaken USA with the Utah Federation of College Republicans.
  • State leaders have been reassessing campus safety, with a higher education task force underway and Gov. Spencer Cox proposing roughly $3.43 million in FY2027 for security upgrades.