Utah prosecutors on Tuesday presented video footage they say shows Tyler James Robinson entering Utah Valley University on the day of Charlie Kirk's killing and climbing onto a rooftop from which he allegedly fired the fatal shot at the conservative commentator. The evidence was shown on the second day of a week-long preliminary hearing where prosecutors must prove to state district judge Tony Graf that sufficient evidence exists for the case to proceed to trial.
Prosecution's Case
Robinson, 23, faces aggravated murder charges in the death of Kirk, who was shot in the neck while speaking at the university last September. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty and cite DNA evidence linking Robinson to the weapon used in the killing. They also allege Robinson confessed in a note left for his roommate and romantic partner. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
This week's proceedings mark the first time Kirk's family and his widow, Erika Kirk, have been in the same courtroom as the accused killer. Donald Trump Jr., a close friend of Kirk's, attended on Monday.
Eyewitness Testimony
On the first day of the hearing, former Utah Valley University police officer Christopher Bagley described hearing a gunshot while Kirk spoke to thousands on September 10, 2025, and the ensuing panic. “Everybody kind of got up. A lot of people were screaming and starting to run in all different directions,” Bagley testified. He searched for additional victims but then moved to contain the scene to preserve evidence. Shortly after, Bagley inspected a nearby rooftop and saw impressions in the gravel suggesting a sniper had been there. Graphic footage of the shooting was submitted as evidence but not shown to the public.
Video Evidence
Tuesday's proceedings began with testimony from David Hull, a former Utah state bureau of investigation agent. Hull narrated videos played in court that he said showed Robinson arriving on campus, leaving, and returning later in different clothing. Additional footage showed a person believed to be Robinson entering a rooftop, running, crouching down, and lying prone until a shot was fired at 12:23 p.m., after which the person got up, lowered from the roof, and walked away from campus.
Prosecutors also showed footage of Robinson's vehicle on campus early on September 11. A police officer interacted with the driver and, through “cop intuition,” wrote down details and a partial license plate number, leading authorities to identify Robinson as an owner of the vehicle. The prosecution and defense have clashed over videos with circled highlights and other alterations prosecutors said were meant to help viewers understand the footage.
Forensic Evidence
Tuesday afternoon focused on forensic testing for three key pieces of evidence: a screwdriver found on a rooftop perch, a Mauser 98 rifle recovered from a wooded campus area, and a towel used to wrap the firearm. Sergeant Jennifer Faumuina of the Utah Department of Public Safety discussed the chain of custody and testing. She read from an FBI report indicating DNA from Robinson and his roommate, Lance Twiggs, was found on the towel.
Defense attorney Michael Burt previewed a trial tactic questioning the accuracy of the DNA testing. He asked FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker about a 2004 report that found “a number of errors” in testing at her Quantico, Virginia laboratory. Prosecutor Ryan McBride objected, saying the report was hardly relevant 22 years later. Judge Graf allowed the questioning briefly before adjourning for the day.
The hearing resumes Wednesday at 1 p.m. local time.
