Tyler Robinson has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges over the alleged murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Prosecutors allege he fired a rifle from a rooftop and hit Kirk in the neck from hundreds of feet away. Kirk was a co-founder of Turning Point USA, a prominent conservative political activist and an ally of US President Donald Trump. He was killed while speaking before a crowd at the university. When Twiggs asked Robinson directly whether he had killed Kirk, Robinson allegedly responded, “I am. Investigators also obtained a message from an online chat room that prosecutors attributed to Robinson. Twiggs later gave investigators a recorded interview.
The plea came after a Utah judge ruled that the 23-year-old must stand trial on the charges, including aggravated murder, The Guardian reported. Robinson is accused of assassinating Kirk during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025.
I’m sorry,” according to the charging documents. Robinson allegedly then explained why he did it, saying he had “had enough of his hatred” and that “some hate can’t be negotiated out,” Reuters reported last year. It allegedly said, “it was me at UVU yesterday” and indicated that he was about to surrender. Twiggs said Robinson told him the day after the shooting that he wished he hadn’t done it. Twiggs also reportedly said Robinson had not previously talked to him about killing Kirk, according to evidence presented in court.
Prosecutors later presented additional DNA evidence involving the weapon and cartridges, AP reported. Robinson later instructed Twiggs to look underneath his keyboard and find the note, HT reported earlier, according to prosecutors. The defence has challenged that argument, saying Robinson fired a single shot at Kirk and that prosecutors have not shown he intended to put others at risk. His lawyers have also disputed parts of the prosecution’s evidence and alleged political motive. They also alleged that Robinson made statements acknowledging the shooting. Surveillance footage allegedly showed a person prosecutors identified as Robinson entering the campus wearing a dark shirt, baseball cap and large sunglasses. It had been wrapped in a towel and was found with a spent cartridge still associated with it. They were- “NoTices Bulge OWO What’s This? “Hey Facist! Catch!” followed by arrow symbols. “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao Bella ciao Ciao, ciao! Bella Ciao is an Italian song strongly associated with anti-fascist resistance. “If you Read This, You Are GAY Lmao.
Investigators recovered a bolt-action .30-06 rifle in a wooded area near the university. Investigators found four cartridges with messages engraved on them, according to the September 2025 charging information. In 2026, an ATF analysis found that the bullet fragment recovered from Charlie Kirk’s body could not be conclusively linked to the rifle allegedly used by Tyler Robinson, as per PBS.
Because he was hiding a rifle, HT reported earlier, investigators said his gait appeared unusual.
During the preliminary proceedings, prosecutors presented surveillance footage, DNA evidence they say connected Robinson to the rifle, messages and other material they said point to his involvement in the killing. Investigators said Robinson’s DNA was found on the rifle/towel and on a screwdriver recovered from the rooftop. Robinson said the engravings were “mostly a big meme,” HT reported earlier. That said, a spent casing found at the scene was matched to the rifle. The note allegedly said, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.
Prosecutors say Robinson left a handwritten note for his roommate, Lance Twiggs, before the shooting.
The decision followed a preliminary hearing in July and closing arguments on Tuesday, as per AP. Kirk was speaking at an outdoor Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University before a crowd of more than 3,000 people. Prosecutors allege Robinson positioned himself on a rooftop roughly 400 feet away and fired a single shot that hit Kirk in the neck.
Prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, fourth district Judge Tony Graf ruled. The aggravated murder charge carries the possibility of a death sentence under Utah law. They say the shooting endangered people attending the event, as per a Reuters report.
Prosecutors have said they intend to pursue the death penalty.
