New Video Reveals Suspect's Movements Before Charlie Kirk Shooting
The man charged with fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college last year was seen walking around the campus, eating at Chick-fil-A, and interacting with Kirk's staff before the incident, according to court testimony.
Tyler Robinson, 23, is also reported to have returned near the Utah Valley University crime scene after the shooting and briefly engaged with a police officer, an investigator stated during the hearing.
Details regarding Robinson's alleged actions were presented on the second day of a preliminary hearing aimed at determining whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. Throughout the hearing, his defense attorneys have challenged much of the evidence and expert testimony presented by prosecutors.
Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk while he was addressing an audience at the university on 10 September 2025.
The hearing included new surveillance footage showing a man prosecutors identify as Robinson repeatedly on campus on the day of the shooting.
The video also appears to depict the suspect jumping off a rooftop while holding an object.
Investigator Details Suspect's Campus Movements
David Hull, lead investigator from Utah's Bureau of Investigation on the case, testified about the footage and Robinson's movements on the day of the shooting.
Hull guided the court through surveillance clips allegedly showing Robinson on campus about four hours before the attack, casually walking around in a T-shirt and shorts and purchasing a meal at Chick-fil-A.
Hull stated that Robinson was seen approaching members of Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, but did not provide further details about the interaction.
According to Hull, Robinson left and then returned to the campus approximately 90 minutes before the shooting.
When he reappeared, Robinson was wearing different clothing and appeared to be walking with a limp.
Footage allegedly shows the suspect proceeding to the Losee Building on campus and rolling over a railing onto the rooftop.
Shortly after the fatal shot was fired, the same individual is seen running across the rooftop, dropping down with an unknown object in hand, and leaving the campus, Hull testified.
A rifle was later recovered in a wooded area believed to be where Robinson entered, Hull informed the court.
Hours following the shooting, Robinson reportedly returned to the university.
Hull recounted that an officer briefly interacted with Robinson near campus during the early hours of 11 September amid an ongoing manhunt.
Robinson allegedly attempted to drive a grey Dodge Challenger onto campus but left after a brief conversation with the officer, who recorded the vehicle's license plate.
Defense Challenges Evidence and Seeks to Exclude Death Penalty
Robinson's defense team, led by attorney Kathy Nester, has moved to exclude much of the prosecution's evidence and has argued to remove the death penalty as a sentencing option.
Nester spent significant time on Tuesday questioning and attempting to undermine key evidence presented by prosecutors.
During cross-examination, Hull acknowledged that at least one other weapon was found on campus on the day of the shooting.
Hull also stated that no shell casings were discovered on the rooftop near a suspected "sniper pad"—an impression in gravel identified by another officer that suggested a shooter’s position with a direct line of sight to where Kirk was speaking.
Nester informed the court that some witnesses described a different suspect on the rooftop, while others claimed a bald man was driving the vehicle allegedly linked to Robinson in security footage shown previously.
The defense repeatedly objected to evidence and testimony during the first two days of the hearing.
They argued that the footage had been edited and noted that the original videographers were not present to be questioned.
These objections have provided insight into the defense’s potential strategy, which has remained largely undisclosed since Robinson’s arrest.
DNA Evidence and Forensic Analysis Presented
Following Hull’s testimony, the prosecution called Jennifer Faumuina, a sergeant with the state bureau of investigation, who described how investigators processed DNA found on a screwdriver, rifle, and towel recovered after the shooting.
Prosecutors introduced an FBI report indicating that the DNA matched Robinson, as well as his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, who has cooperated with police.
The defense called its first witness, FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker, who signed the DNA report. She was extensively questioned about testing protocols and the potential for interpretation or error.
Next Steps in Preliminary Hearing
The hearing is scheduled to conclude on Friday. Judge Graf will not determine guilt or innocence but will decide whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
The hearing resembles a trial; however, prosecutors face a lower burden of proof, needing only to show reasonable grounds for trial rather than proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is required at a full trial.
