Prosecutors in the pre-trial hearing for Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, introduced a video depicting Robinson's surrender to authorities. Robinson, 23, faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted of the murder, which occurred at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025.
He has been in custody since his family persuaded him to turn himself in after recognizing him in surveillance photos released during the search for Kirk's killer. A week-long preliminary hearing is currently underway, during which prosecutors aim to demonstrate sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The video of Robinson turning himself in was presented Wednesday as Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Brian Davis testified. The footage shows Robinson in a room at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, accompanied by his parents and a friend.
Davis stated that after interviews with Robinson and his parents, Robinson was arrested. He also confirmed that Robinson's mother was interviewed by him, while other officers interviewed Robinson and his father. A family friend who accompanied the Robinsons was also interviewed.
This video was among several pieces of evidence presented during the testimony to determine if the case will advance to trial. Earlier, prosecutors submitted evidence they claim places Robinson at the crime scene. Surveillance footage allegedly captured Robinson shortly before Kirk's death, showing him walking with an apparent limp, keeping his right leg straight as he ascended stairs toward a rooftop location.
Former Utah State Bureau of Investigation agent David Hull described the footage in court, revealing that Robinson had spoken with members of Kirk's group and obtained food before the shooting, then changed his clothing prior to the murder. On Monday, Utah Valley University police officer Chris Bagley, the first responder, testified that he was near the stage when Kirk was fatally shot in the neck, causing the crowd to panic. Bagley described the scene as chaotic but quickly identified a raised roof across from where Kirk was shot as a potential vantage point for the assailant. He testified that he found a "sniper pad" on the roof of the Losee Center building, with indentations in the gravel indicating where the suspect had lain.
The weapon, described as a bolt-action rifle with one spent round, was recovered from a wooded area near the shooting site. Police reported that a towel wrapped around the weapon tested positive for Robinson's DNA. Investigators also claimed to have found bullet casings engraved with political messages within the recovered firearm.