Prosecutors are laying out evidence against Tyler Robinson, who faces the death penalty for the alleged assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a Utah university event in September 2025. Pre-trial hearings are underway to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial.
Robinson, 23, was arrested 33 hours after the shooting at Utah Valley University (UVU) when his parents recognized him from released surveillance images and urged him to surrender. He has remained in custody in Utah since his arrest.
During a pre-trial evidence hearing, prosecutors presented surveillance footage allegedly showing Robinson on the UVU campus in a Dodge Challenger on the day of the shooting. Further footage, which prosecutors claim shows Robinson moments before Kirk was killed, depicts him walking with an apparent limp towards a rooftop described as a "sniper's perch."
Prosecutors intend to present a range of evidence, including DNA linking Robinson to the alleged murder weapon, autopsy findings, witness statements, and additional surveillance footage from the scene. They also plan to introduce text messages allegedly sent by Robinson to his transgender boyfriend on the day of the shooting, in which he reportedly expressed frustration with Kirk's views.
Prosecutors reportedly plan to cite messages Robinson allegedly sent his transgender boyfriend on the day of the shooting, which said he 'had enough of (Kirk's) hatred' and that 'some hatred can't be negotiated out.'
However, the proceedings faced an early setback when Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf rejected certain surveillance footage, expressing concern that it had been edited with added circles and zooms. Prosecutors stated these modifications were made solely to enhance viewing clarity.
Adding to the procedural challenges, the first officer on the scene, UVU police officer Chris Bagley, testified that his body camera malfunctioned and ran out of batteries on the day of the incident, leaving no footage to corroborate his account.
Despite these hurdles, prosecutors need only establish probable cause for Robinson to stand trial, a lower standard than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" required for conviction.
Authorities stated that Robinson's father, Matt Robinson, played a role in his son's apprehension, recognizing him in surveillance images and convincing him to surrender. Surveillance images showed a man matching Robinson's description on the UVU campus.
Robinson reportedly confessed to his father, initially expressing a desire to harm himself rather than surrender. He was later persuaded to speak with a family friend employed by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The FBI received thousands of tips in the initial hours of the investigation, leading to the rapid compilation of forensic and surveillance evidence.
Prosecutors allege Robinson drove a grey Dodge Challenger for four hours to reach the UVU campus. Tuesday's hearing included never-before-seen footage of the vehicle near the campus prior to the assassination.
Investigators are also expected to present previously released surveillance footage showing the suspect climbing to the roof of the Losee Center building before firing and fleeing.
Officer Bagley testified that he was near the stage when Kirk was struck by a bullet and that the scene quickly became chaotic. He quickly identified the rooftop across from the shooting location as a potential sniper's position and found a "sniper pad" on the Losee Center roof.
During cross-examination, Bagley admitted he did not collect an empty pistol holster found on the ground after the shooting and confirmed his body camera was not operational due to depleted batteries.
Investigators later discovered a bolt-action rifle wrapped in a towel near the campus. Unfired bullet casings found with the rifle were reportedly engraved with political messages, including "Hey fascist! CATCH!" and "If you read This, you are GAY. Lmao."
In the 33-hour search for Kirk's assailant, authorities offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Two other individuals were briefly detained during the manhunt but were later released without charges.
Court documents filed at the time of Robinson's arrest detailed numerous messages he allegedly sent to his boyfriend, Lance Twiggs, referencing the shooting. In one message, Robinson reportedly stated, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it."
He also allegedly instructed Twiggs to retrieve a note left under his keyboard, which read: "If you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission, and set an auto text."
Robinson's family reportedly told investigators that he had become increasingly political in the years leading up to the shooting. During a family dinner, he allegedly mentioned Kirk's upcoming speech at UVU and expressed disagreement with his conservative views.
