A Utah judge has ruled that Tyler Robinson will stand trial for the alleged killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, clearing the way for prosecutors to pursue an aggravated murder case that could carry the death penalty.
Judge Tony Graf made the decision on Tuesday, 1 September, at the Fourth District Court in Provo following a preliminary hearing in which prosecutors presented evidence linking Robinson to the fatal shooting.
Robinson, 23, is accused of shooting Kirk during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem in September 2025. Kirk, a prominent conservative campaigner and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was addressing a crowd of about 3,000 people when he was killed.
The defendant faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, two counts of obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering and committing a violent offence in the presence of a child.
Prosecutors told the court that Robinson fired from a rooftop more than 400ft away and endangered people near Kirk. They also presented evidence they said included surveillance footage, DNA analysis linking Robinson to the suspected rifle and a note allegedly left for his romantic partner.
The prosecution has alleged that Kirk was targeted because of his political views. It has also pointed to an inscription on a bullet recovered from the suspected weapon which read: “Hey Facist! CATCH!”
Robinson’s defence team has disputed the strength of the evidence and argued that the shooting did not endanger anyone other than Kirk. His lawyer, Staci Visser, said there was “zero evidence” that the gunman intended to harm other people.
Robinson turned himself in to authorities the day after the shooting and has remained in custody. His legal team entered a not guilty plea on his behalf during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The case will now proceed towards trial, where prosecutors will have to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
