DNA Evidence Links Tyler Robinson to Charlie Kirk Assassination Weapon
Prosecutors presented this evidence during a preliminary hearing in Provo, Utah, to establish probable cause for charges including aggravated murder.
The case hinges on forensic links between the suspect and the crime scene at Utah Valley University (UVU). Because the charges carry a potential death penalty, the legal stakes are high.
Forensic Evidence from the UVU Sniper Perch
Sgt. Jennifer Faumuina of the State Bureau of Investigations testified that her evidence response team recovered a screwdriver from the rooftop of the Losee Center. This location is where prosecutors allege Robinson fired the fatal shot. Nearby, investigators found a Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle wrapped in a dark-colored towel.
The rifle was not in its original configuration; it had been retrofitted to fire .30-06 rounds. According to Faumuina, this matches the caliber of bullet fragments recovered during Charlie Kirk’s autopsy. Both the towel and the screwdriver contained DNA profiles matching Robinson and Lance Twiggs.
FBI forensic analyst Amanda Bakker provided critical nuance to these findings. She testified that while both men’s DNA was present, Robinson is likely the “majority donor” in the mixed samples, with Twiggs acting as the minority contributor. This distinction is vital for the prosecution’s effort to place Robinson as the primary actor at the scene.
The complexity of mixed-profile DNA evidence often requires specialized interpretation.
The Role of Lance Twiggs and the Alleged Confession
Lance Twiggs, a former lover and roommate of Robinson, has not been charged with a crime. Instead, he is cooperating with law enforcement. Prosecutors allege that Robinson confessed to the assassination through both text messages and a handwritten note directed to Twiggs.
The presence of Twiggs’ DNA on the evidence is viewed by the state not as an indication of guilt, but as a corroborating factor that strengthens the case against Robinson. By establishing a shared living environment and a direct line of communication, the state aims to lock Robinson into the timeline of the crime.
Defense attorney Michael Burt attempted to challenge the scope of the DNA testimony during the hearing. This led to a tense exchange with prosecutor Ryan McBride, who objected to the questioning as going “beyond the scope of determining probable cause.” Judge Tony Graf Jr. eventually intervened to limit the line of questioning.
Legal Thresholds and the Path to Trial
The current proceedings are a preliminary hearing, not a full trial. The judge must determine if there is enough evidence—probable cause—to justify the charges. If the judge finds this threshold is met, Robinson will be required to enter a plea.
Maryland attorney Randolph Rice told Fox News Digital that the likelihood of the state failing to establish probable cause is virtually non-existent, stating, “Barring the prosecutor somehow forgetting how to get to the courthouse, there’s no realistic chance the state fails.”
Timeline of the September 10 Attack
The assassination occurred during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. According to testimony from David Hull of the Utah Department of Public Safety, surveillance video shows Robinson moving around the campus before and after the shooting. The footage also tracks his movements in a Dodge Challenger.
- Location: Losee Center rooftop, Utah Valley University.
- Weapon: Retrofitted Mauser 98 bolt-action rifle (.30-06).
- Key Evidence: DNA-laden towel and screwdriver.
- Suspect: Tyler Robinson (23).
- Witness/Cooperator: Lance Twiggs.
The fallout extended beyond the courtroom. UVU recently scrapped a controversial commencement speaker who had criticized Charlie Kirk following the murder, illustrating the lingering political tension surrounding the event.
As the hearing continues through the week, the focus remains on the intersection of digital evidence, surveillance, and biological markers. The presence of Erika Kirk and her family in the gallery underscores the human cost of the violence.