Tyler Robinson, 23, is charged with aggravated murder in the September 10, 2025 shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. He has not entered a plea, and a judge is currently deciding whether the case will proceed to trial.
Who Is The Suspect
Tyler Robinson is the man charged in Kirk’s death. He turned himself in to police in St. George, Utah, about 260 miles from the shooting scene, roughly a day after the killing. Robinson had no prior criminal record before his arrest, according to CBS News.
What Happened On September 10
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors say surveillance video shows a person identified as Robinson on a nearby rooftop, where he allegedly fired a single shot that hit Kirk, based on testimony reported by ABC7 San Francisco.
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The Evidence Presented So Far
Investigators found a bolt-action rifle with one spent round wrapped in a towel in a wooded area near the shooting scene. FBI DNA analyst Amanda Bakker testified that DNA on the towel matched two people. One was Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, and the DNA was very likely a match to Robinson as well, according to CBS News. Prosecutors also presented DNA evidence they say links Robinson to a tool allegedly used to etch messages onto bullet cartridges.
The Alleged Confession
Prosecutors say Robinson’s roommate found a note under his keyboard that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.” In a text exchange, when Twiggs asked Robinson if he was the shooter, Robinson allegedly replied, “I am, I’m sorry,” according to court documents cited by CBS News. A recording played in court also showed Robinson telling his roommate the day after the shooting that he wished he had not done it, as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
The Roommate’s Role In The Case
Lance Twiggs, who prosecutors describe as Robinson’s roommate and romantic partner, was granted “use immunity” in exchange for providing recorded statements to investigators. His attorneys had fought to keep some of his statements private, arguing that media broadcast of the recordings could be treated as a confession and undermine Robinson’s right to a fair trial, based on reporting from ABC7 Los Angeles.
How The Defense Is Responding
Robinson’s legal team has not offered an alternative explanation for who was responsible for Kirk’s death. Instead, defense attorney Michael Burt has focused on questioning the reliability of the DNA testing methods used by investigators, including how DNA could theoretically transfer between people through indirect contact, according to CBS News.
Current Status Of The Case
Robinson has not entered a plea. State District Judge Tony Graf is expected to rule on whether prosecutors have presented enough evidence to send the case to trial, with closing arguments on this question scheduled after the hearing concludes, as reported by ABC7 San Francisco. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, though Robinson’s attorneys have sought unsuccessfully to have that option removed, according to NPR.
Where The Case Goes Next
If Judge Graf finds sufficient evidence, the case will move forward to a full trial, where Robinson will formally enter a plea. Legal experts cited by CBS News say this outcome is considered likely given the volume of evidence presented during the preliminary hearing.
FAQ: Who Shot Charlie Kirk?
Q: Who shot Charlie Kirk?
A: Charlie Kirk was fatally shot in the neck by a sniper positioned on a rooftop approximately 142 yards away while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. Tyler Robinson, a 23-year-old, was later arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. He is the accused gunman and has not yet been convicted.
Q: When and where did the shooting happen?
Q: Who is Tyler Robinson?
Q: What charges does Tyler Robinson face?
A: Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. He has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.
Q: Is Tyler Robinson facing the death penalty?
Q: What evidence links Robinson to the shooting?
A: Prosecutors point to several pieces of evidence:
DNA evidence linking Robinson to a bolt-action rifle found wrapped in a towel near the scene, along with autopsy findings, witness statements, and video footage of the shooting
Cartridge casings and a Dremel tool seized from the home Robinson shared with his roommate, with one casing engraved “TEST SHOT,” matched by ATF analysis to both the rifle and the tool
Surveillance video allegedly showing Robinson climbing onto a rooftop, crouching, running to a position overlooking the event, then fleeing on foot after the shot was fired
Q: Did Robinson confess?
A: Prosecutors allege Robinson left a note for his roommate reading, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it”, and that he sent a text saying he targeted Kirk because he “had enough of his hatred.” His roommate also testified that Robinson said “he wishes he hadn’t done it” the day after the shooting.
Q: What has the defense argued?
A: Robinson’s defense team has disputed the reliability of the DNA testing used to link him to the murder weapon and has challenged government experts’ ability to conclusively connect the recovered bullet fragment to the rifle found near the scene. They’ve also pushed back on the idea that Robinson was politically motivated against Kirk.
