Tyler Robinson, 23, is set to face a murder trial for the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, 31, was fatally shot in the neck on September 10, 2025, in front of thousands of witnesses during a debate at Utah Valley University. Robinson was arrested two days after the incident.
Prosecutors have presented a substantial amount of evidence they claim connects Robinson to the shooting. This includes alleged confessions made to his transgender roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, as well as to friends in group chats. DNA evidence allegedly found on the murder weapon and the sniper's perch is also part of the prosecution's case.
Confessions and Testimony
According to prosecutors, Robinson left a handwritten confession for Twiggs, who went by the name Luna at the time. The note, found under Robinson's keyboard, stated: "Luna, If you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission and sent an auto-text. I’m likely dead or facing a lengthy prison sentence." The note further alleged, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it... I wish we could have lived in a world where this was not necessary."
Twiggs testified that Robinson also admitted to the shooting in text messages and eventually confessed tearfully to him after Kirk's death, stating he "wished he hadn't done it." Prosecutors also claim Robinson confessed to his parents, telling his father he would "rather kill myself than turn myself in."
In addition to handwritten notes and text messages, prosecutors presented alleged confessions from group chats on Discord. In these messages, Robinson purportedly wrote, "It was me. Look at the pictures from the surveillance footage. It was me. I'm serious." He also allegedly stated, "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all. it was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this. I'm surrendering through a sheriff friend in a few moments."
Surveillance Footage and Physical Evidence
Prosecutors presented surveillance footage allegedly showing Robinson on the Utah Valley University campus on the day of the shooting. The footage reportedly shows Robinson walking with a limp, which prosecutors claim was due to him smuggling his grandfather's Mauser Model 98 bolt-action rifle down his pants leg. He was seen climbing stairs to a rooftop, identified as a "sniper's perch," and later sprinting away from the scene moments after Kirk was killed.
Authorities located the rifle in a wooded area near the shooting site. A towel wrapped around the weapon tested positive for Robinson's DNA, and Twiggs's DNA was also found on it. The rifle reportedly contained engraved bullets with political messages. One read: "Hey fascist! Catch!", another referenced a transgender furry meme, "notices bulge OwO," a third quoted the Italian anti-Fascist song "Bella Ciao," and a fourth stated: "If you are reading this, you are gay."
Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges, including aggravated murder, which carries the death penalty. Utah District Judge Tony Graf rejected a request to remove the aggravated murder charge, citing the proximity of other witnesses to where Kirk was killed. Robinson is next scheduled to appear in court on October 23, when a trial date is expected to be set.