On July 7, 2026, during a state court hearing, an investigator outlined the alleged actions of Tyler Robinson, who is facing charges for killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent, David Hull, provided insights into Robinson’s movements prior to and following the shooting. The court viewed campus surveillance footage revealing Robinson’s activities on the day of the crime.
Hull described how Robinson visited Utah Valley University, wearing casual attire including shorts and a T-shirt, and purchased a meal at Chick-fil-A. He reportedly interacted with Kirk’s staff before changing clothes and using a rooftop to fatally shoot Kirk. The videos showed Robinson arriving on campus around four hours before the shooting occurred.
During the hearing, Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, was visibly emotional, dabbing at her eyes. Prosecutors have expressed their intent to seek the death penalty and aim to convince Judge Tony Graf that adequate evidence exists for a trial on an aggravated murder charge. Robinson has not entered a plea, and his lawyers are challenging the possibility of the death penalty in this case.
Footage presented during the hearing depicted Robinson climbing onto a rooftop, crouching, and aiming at Kirk’s location. Post-shooting, Robinson fled the scene on foot. Hull added that the suspected murder weapon, a bolt-action rifle, was later discovered wrapped in a towel in nearby woods. A police officer noticed Robinson again in the campus vicinity later that night.
The preliminary hearing serves as a critical step in this case, where prosecutors must demonstrate reasonable grounds to proceed with a trial. Former university police Officer Christopher Bagley, who witnessed the shooting, confirmed to the court that a ‘sniper pad’ setup was found on a nearby gravel rooftop after the incident.
Upcoming presentations will include recorded testimony from Robinson’s roommate, who will not testify in person as previously ruled by Judge Graf. Prosecutors plan to showcase video evidence from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office from the day following the incident. The prosecution alleges that Robinson wrote a confession note to his roommate, targeting Kirk for his views.
DNA evidence connecting Robinson to the murder weapon and witness statements are part of the prosecutorial strategy. They argue that the shooting’s setting endangered other attendees, an aggravating factor that could warrant the death penalty under Utah law.
This week marks an emotional period for those involved, with Kirk’s family attending proceedings for the first time. Erika Kirk, along with Charlie’s parents, Kathryn and Robert, has participated in the hearing, signifying their pursuit of justice. They released a statement acknowledging each court session as a poignant reminder of their loss.
The session’s objective is to establish a basis for trial, a lesser threshold than proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense attorney Kathryn Nester raised multiple objections to the evidence, mostly overruled by the judge. Bagley, questioned by the defense, admitted not securing a pistol holster found at the scene.
Local residents like Denae Branch and Jean Rivera, who were present during the fatal incident, attended the hearing. Their attendance reflects the ongoing impact of the event on those in proximity to the tragedy. Rivera wore a shirt with ‘FREEDOM,’ matching what Kirk wore on the day he was shot, expressing a continued connection to the event.