Tyler Robinson pleads not guilty in Charlie Kirk killing case

Provo, United States. Tyler Robinson pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to seven charges, including aggravated murder, in the fatal shooting of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. A judge ruled there was sufficient evidence for Robinson to stand trial on a charge that could carry the death penalty.

Capital charge ruling

Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf made the ruling after prosecutors presented what they described as overwhelming evidence that Robinson, 23, fired the single shot that killed Kirk, 31, on September 10, 2025.

The aggravated murder charge alleges that Robinson endangered others when he allegedly shot Kirk during a campus debate at Utah Valley University in Orem. The charge carries the death penalty in Utah.

Defense lawyers argued that the shooting did not meet the standard for a death penalty charge. A jury will decide the case.

Evidence presented

Utah County prosecutor Ryan McBride presented video images that he said showed Robinson taking up a sniper position on a rooftop before shooting Kirk.

McBride also displayed photographs that he said showed the former electrical apprentice created a great risk of death to others. Kirk’s security detail was feet away from him when he was shot, prosecutors said.

Family attends hearing

Kirk’s parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his wife, Erika, attended the hearing. Erika Kirk has taken leadership of the late activist’s conservative youth organisation.

“Today’s decision, which comes nearly a year since Charlie was taken from us, marks an important step in our family’s pursuit of justice for him,” the Kirk family said in a statement issued after the hearing.

Graf scheduled a hearing for October 23 to set a trial date.

Kirk’s political role

Kirk was a co-founder of the conservative youth organisation Turning Point USA and was credited with energising young voters behind President Donald Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign.

His killing was captured on cellphone video and spread widely on social media. It was among a series of attacks on U.S. political figures in recent years that have fuelled debate about political violence in the deeply polarised country.