Topline: Attorneys for Tyler Robinson say federal ballistics tests failed to match the fatal round to a weapon tied to the defendant.
Published: April 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Charlie Kirk, Right: Tyler Robinson (via AP/Utah Governor’s Office)
OREM, UT — Attorneys for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk claim in a new court filing that federal investigators failed to link the fatal bullet to a rifle tied to their client.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson are asking a judge to delay a preliminary hearing scheduled for May. The defense argues that an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives summary report showed the agency could not identify the bullet recovered during the autopsy as having been fired from the rifle authorities linked to Robinson, as reported by NewsNation.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Kirk, who was shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Prosecutors said Kirk was killed by a single round fired from a distance of more than 100 yards.
The defense filing states the ATF was unable to identify the bullet to the rifle allegedly tied to Robinson. While the state has not said it will use the report in the May hearing, the defense said it may offer the testimony of the ATF analyst as exculpatory evidence, according to NBC News.
Attorneys for Robinson said it is necessary for their own firearms expert to review the ATF case file and protocols. The filing claims these materials have not yet been provided to the defense team.
According to the motion, the FBI is also conducting a second comparative bullet analysis and a bullet lead analysis. Robinson’s lawyers said those tests are not yet complete.
Robinson was arrested following a multi-day manhunt. Authorities said a family member suspected Robinson’s involvement and alerted a friend, leading to his capture.
The defendant has not yet entered a plea. He faces multiple felony charges in connection with the campus shooting.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. The upcoming preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Kirk was a prominent figure in conservative politics and the founder of Turning Point USA. His death at the university event led to an intensive investigation involving local and federal agencies.
The defense team argues that moving forward with the May hearing without the completed FBI reports would be premature. They are seeking the additional time to evaluate the technical data used by federal ballistics experts.
A judge has not yet ruled on the motion to postpone the proceedings. Robinson remains in custody pending the outcome of the legal filings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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New Filing: Bullet That Killed Charlie Kirk Did Not Match Suspect’s Rifle
Attorneys for Tyler Robinson say federal ballistics tests failed to match the fatal round to a weapon tied to the defendant.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Charlie Kirk, Right: Tyler Robinson (via AP/Utah Governor’s Office)
OREM, UT — Attorneys for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk claim in a new court filing that federal investigators failed to link the fatal bullet to a rifle tied to their client.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson are asking a judge to delay a preliminary hearing scheduled for May. The defense argues that an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives summary report showed the agency could not identify the bullet recovered during the autopsy as having been fired from the rifle authorities linked to Robinson, as reported by NewsNation.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Kirk, who was shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Prosecutors said Kirk was killed by a single round fired from a distance of more than 100 yards.
The defense filing states the ATF was unable to identify the bullet to the rifle allegedly tied to Robinson. While the state has not said it will use the report in the May hearing, the defense said it may offer the testimony of the ATF analyst as exculpatory evidence, according to NBC News.
Attorneys for Robinson said it is necessary for their own firearms expert to review the ATF case file and protocols. The filing claims these materials have not yet been provided to the defense team.
According to the motion, the FBI is also conducting a second comparative bullet analysis and a bullet lead analysis. Robinson’s lawyers said those tests are not yet complete.
Robinson was arrested following a multi-day manhunt. Authorities said a family member suspected Robinson’s involvement and alerted a friend, leading to his capture.
The defendant has not yet entered a plea. He faces multiple felony charges in connection with the campus shooting.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. The upcoming preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Kirk was a prominent figure in conservative politics and the founder of Turning Point USA. His death at the university event led to an intensive investigation involving local and federal agencies.
The defense team argues that moving forward with the May hearing without the completed FBI reports would be premature. They are seeking the additional time to evaluate the technical data used by federal ballistics experts.
A judge has not yet ruled on the motion to postpone the proceedings. Robinson remains in custody pending the outcome of the legal filings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
New Filing: Bullet That Killed Charlie Kirk Did Not Match Suspect’s Rifle
Attorneys for Tyler Robinson say federal ballistics tests failed to match the fatal round to a weapon tied to the defendant.
By Kate Byrd
Published: April 2, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Charlie Kirk, Right: Tyler Robinson (via AP/Utah Governor’s Office)
OREM, UT — Attorneys for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk claim in a new court filing that federal investigators failed to link the fatal bullet to a rifle tied to their client.
Lawyers for Tyler Robinson are asking a judge to delay a preliminary hearing scheduled for May. The defense argues that an Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives summary report showed the agency could not identify the bullet recovered during the autopsy as having been fired from the rifle authorities linked to Robinson, as reported by NewsNation.
Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Kirk, who was shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. Prosecutors said Kirk was killed by a single round fired from a distance of more than 100 yards.
The defense filing states the ATF was unable to identify the bullet to the rifle allegedly tied to Robinson. While the state has not said it will use the report in the May hearing, the defense said it may offer the testimony of the ATF analyst as exculpatory evidence, according to NBC News.
Attorneys for Robinson said it is necessary for their own firearms expert to review the ATF case file and protocols. The filing claims these materials have not yet been provided to the defense team.
According to the motion, the FBI is also conducting a second comparative bullet analysis and a bullet lead analysis. Robinson’s lawyers said those tests are not yet complete.
Robinson was arrested following a multi-day manhunt. Authorities said a family member suspected Robinson’s involvement and alerted a friend, leading to his capture.
The defendant has not yet entered a plea. He faces multiple felony charges in connection with the campus shooting.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted. The upcoming preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
Kirk was a prominent figure in conservative politics and the founder of Turning Point USA. His death at the university event led to an intensive investigation involving local and federal agencies.
The defense team argues that moving forward with the May hearing without the completed FBI reports would be premature. They are seeking the additional time to evaluate the technical data used by federal ballistics experts.
A judge has not yet ruled on the motion to postpone the proceedings. Robinson remains in custody pending the outcome of the legal filings.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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