Key facts
- Prosecutors presented video evidence allegedly showing Tyler Robinson in a sniper's position on a rooftop before the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
- Surveillance footage shows Robinson running across a rooftop and jumping off after the shooting.
- Defense lawyers are questioning the reliability of DNA testing linking Robinson to the murder weapon.
- An FBI DNA analyst testified that DNA found on the suspected murder weapon and towel matched Robinson and his roommate.
- Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed to the killing in a note and text message.
- Robinson faces aggravated murder charges, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Prosecutors presented video evidence allegedly showing Tyler Robinson in a sniper's position on a rooftop before the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The footage was shown on the second day of a week-long preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Investigator David Hull testified that surveillance footage showed Robinson arriving on campus, leaving, and returning later in different clothing. Additional footage allegedly showed Robinson entering a rooftop, running, crouching, and lying prone until a shot was fired at 12:23 p.m., after which he got up, lowered himself from the roof, and left campus. Prosecutors also presented footage of Robinson's vehicle on campus and noted that a police officer had recorded details about an interaction with the driver, later identified as Robinson.
Robinson faces aggravated murder charges, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. His widow, Erika Kirk, and Donald Trump Jr. were in attendance at the hearing.
During the hearing, defense lawyers for Robinson began questioning the reliability of DNA testing that prosecutors claim links the defendant to a rifle found wrapped in a towel near the university. Defense attorney Michael Burt interrogated an FBI DNA analyst about her techniques, concluding that she could not match Robinson to the questioned samples. Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride countered that the preliminary hearing was not the appropriate time to debate the DNA evidence's reliability, suggesting it would be addressed at trial.
The FBI analyst, Amanda Bakker, stated that after Robinson's roommate provided a DNA sample for comparison, she was able to attribute all the DNA to two people: the roommate and Robinson. Jennifer Faumuina with the State Bureau of Investigation testified that DNA on the towel matched Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs.
Prosecutors allege Robinson confessed in a note left for Twiggs, stating, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” Robinson also allegedly sent a text saying he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.” Defense attorney Richard Novak sought to block prosecutors from introducing a statement describing the traditional Christian values of Turning Point USA, arguing it did not reflect Robinson's state of mind. The judge ruled the statement was relevant and would be provisionally admitted.