Utah prosecutors say evidence ties 23-year-old to Charlie Kirk’s campus killing

The prosecution told a court this week that DNA on a rifle and a text confession provide compelling evidence to try 23-year-old Tyler Robinson for the killing of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, prosecutors said during preliminary hearings that outlined probable cause for aggravated murder.

Prosecutors presented surveillance footage, witness testimony, a recorded interview with Robinson’s former roommate Lance Twiggs, and messages between the two to trace Robinson’s movements in the 48 hours around the shooting, the court heard.

Surveillance video shown at the hearing allegedly places Robinson on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, buying food, interacting with Turning Point USA representatives and later returning in different clothes before heading to the rooftop of the Losee Center, investigators testified.

State Bureau of Investigation agents described a shot fired from about 415ft (126m) above where Kirk stood. Officers also testified they found a disturbed “sniper pad” on the Losee rooftop consistent with a prone shooter, and surveillance allegedly shows a person rolling over a railing and lying prone on that roof.

Texts between Robinson and Twiggs on the night of the shooting included messages in which Robinson said he had hidden his grandfather’s rifle near campus and later attempted to retrieve it while a search was underway, prosecutors said.

Robinson allegedly admitted to Twiggs by text that he was the shooter, writing, “I had enough of his hatred,” and apologised, according to messages presented in court. Photos of engraved bullets and cartridges recovered from the scene and Robinson’s residence were also shown to the court.

Law enforcement testified that the firearm and a towel it was wrapped in yielded DNA matching Robinson. Twiggs’ recorded interview described Robinson as remorseful and saying he intended to turn himself in; footage was played showing Robinson arriving at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office later that evening with his parents.

The defence raised repeated objections during the five-day hearing, challenging hearsay, juror tainting, and the credibility and procedures of expert, DNA and ballistics testimony. Judge Tony Graf will decide whether the case proceeds to trial after both sides file written briefs.

Family members of both the victim and the defendant attended the hearings, and the Kirk family issued a statement expressing comfort that the court had seen what they described as overwhelming evidence while stressing the need for a fair, transparent process.