The man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk strolled around a Utah university campus, ate a meal at Chick-fil-A and interacted with the victim’s staff before the fatal shooting, a court has heard.
Tyler Robinson, 23, allegedly approached members of Kirk’s Turning Point USA organisation about four hours before the attack, according to David Hull, lead investigator for Utah’s state Bureau of Investigation. Hull testified that surveillance footage showed Robinson buying food at the fast-food chain and later leaving the campus, only to return about 90 minutes before the shooting wearing different clothes and walking with a limp.
“Tyler Robinson ate Chick-fil-A and spoke to Kirk's staff before allegedly shooting the conservative activist, court hears.”
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the 10 September 2025 killing of Kirk, who was shot while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not entered a plea.
Hull told the court that footage captured the suspect clambering onto the roof of the Losee Building, where he crouched near where Kirk was speaking. Shortly after the fatal shot, the same man ran across the roof, dropped to the ground with an unknown object and fled. A bolt-action rifle with one spent cartridge was later recovered in a wooded area, wrapped in a towel.
Hours after the attack, Robinson allegedly returned to the campus. Hull testified that a police officer briefly spoke with him near the school while a manhunt was under way, but Robinson drove off in a grey Dodge Challenger after the officer noted his licence plate.
The preliminary hearing, now in its second day, will determine whether the evidence is strong enough for a trial. Defence lawyers have mounted a sustained challenge to the prosecution’s DNA evidence linking Robinson to the rifle. FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker testified that after obtaining a DNA sample from Robinson’s roommate, Lance Twiggs, she reanalysed the evidence and concluded two people were on the towel. Jennifer Faumuina of the state Bureau of Investigation said those two were Twiggs and someone “very likely” Robinson.
Defence attorney Michael Burt argued: “She can’t match Mr Robinson to the questioned samples.” Deputy Utah County Attorney Ryan McBride countered that disputes over DNA interpretation are matters for a trial. “The point is there are explanations that are susceptible to different interpretations and arguments,” he said. “The court is going to determine if it meets the threshold of reliability at trial.”
The defence also challenged crime-scene handling: Hull testified that a bullet recovered elsewhere on campus came from a law enforcement officer who had ejected an unfired round. Prosecutors allege Robinson endangered others and targeted Kirk because of his political views, factors that could make the killing eligible for the death penalty under Utah law. Erika Kirk, the victim’s wife, came face to face with the alleged killer in court earlier this week.
