Tyler Robinson, 23, stands accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University [1, 2, 3, 4].

The preliminary hearing against Robinson began on July 6, 2026, and is expected to last about five days. The court is determining whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial [1, 2, 3, 5].

Prosecutors presented surveillance footage showing a man believed to be Robinson moving across the campus, climbing onto a rooftop near the scene of the shooting, and fleeing afterward. Former Utah State Bureau of Investigation agent David Hull described the video, saying, "Footage then showed the suspect making his way to the Losee Building on the campus and rolling over a railing onto the rooftop. Shortly after the fatal shot rang out, the same man can be seen running across the roof, dropping down with an unknown object in his hands and making his way off campus" [1, 6, 2].

Utah Valley University police officer Christopher Bagley testified about hearing the gunshot and arriving at the rooftop, recounting that "Everybody kind of got up. A lot of people were screaming and starting to run in all different directions" [2, 3].

Robinson faces charges of aggravated murder and could receive the death penalty. His defense team seeks to remove the death penalty from consideration. Robinson has not entered a plea, and the defense disputes the prosecution’s characterization of alleged confession evidence, objecting to much of the evidence presented so far [1, 2, 3, 5].

Video testimony from Robinson’s former lover Lance Twiggs is being played with judge-ordered redactions after defense objections delayed full airing to ensure court compliance [5].

Charlie Kirk’s widow and family filed motions demanding full public disclosure of all evidence admitted during the hearing. Family attorney Jeff Neiman stated, "The Kirk family believes strongly that if the evidence is being admitted in this preliminary hearing, it should be made public for the world to see no redactions." Erika Kirk added in a court filing, "The right 'to be present' is hollow if the victim or his representative is physically in the room but is prevented from seeing the evidence the Court is receiving" [5, 4].

The hearing is ongoing as of August 7, 2026, with testimony and evidence expected to continue over several more days.