Prosecutors allege that the man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk specifically targeted him because of the commentator’s political views on LGBTQ issues, arguing that the evidence overwhelmingly supports their claim.
According to court filings submitted Tuesday, prosecutors contend that Tyler Robinson selected Kirk as his target because of the defendant’s belief or perception of Kirk’s political positions. Kirk, who was widely known for his outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage and transgender issues, was allegedly targeted because of that political expression.
“The circumstantial evidence that Defendant targeted Mr. Kirk because of Defendant’s belief or perception of Mr. Kirk’s political beliefs is overwhelming,” prosecutors wrote in their legal arguments.
Kirk, a friend of President Donald Trump, was shot and killed on Sept. 10, 2025, while delivering a speech at Utah Valley University.
Following the deadly shooting, investigators focused on a rooftop located roughly 160 yards from where Kirk had been speaking. Prosecutors presented surveillance footage from that location showing a man dressed in dark clothing, whom they identified as Robinson.
Prosecutors also pointed to what they described as key evidence regarding Robinson’s alleged motive. According to court filings, investigators recovered a letter Robinson allegedly left beneath a keyboard for his roommate, Lance Twiggs, to discover.
The letter, which prosecutors previously cited when Robinson was initially charged, allegedly stated, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
Prosecutors also referenced another communication between Robinson and Twiggs that they say further outlined the defendant’s alleged intentions. In that message, Robinson allegedly wrote, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out. If I am able to grab my rifle unseen, I will have left no evidence.”
Those communications form a significant part of the prosecution’s argument that Robinson intentionally targeted Kirk because of the conservative activist’s political beliefs.
However, the defense has challenged that interpretation of the evidence.
During a court appearance on July 9, Robinson’s attorney, Richard Novak, argued that the letter did not explicitly describe his client’s opposition to Kirk’s political views or establish Robinson’s state of mind during the period in question.
Additional testimony cited in the case also raised questions about Robinson’s prior discussions concerning Kirk. Prosecutors noted that in an April interview, Twiggs told investigators that Robinson had never previously discussed Charlie Kirk or LGBTQ issues before the shooting.
Robinson has not entered a plea in the case and remains in police custody as the legal proceedings continue.
The defense has until Aug. 18 to submit written arguments supporting its claim that there is insufficient evidence to proceed. Those filings are expected to address the prosecution’s allegations and challenge the evidence presented against Robinson.
Utah District Judge Tony Graf is scheduled to hold a hearing on Sept. 1, when the court is expected to consider the parties’ arguments as the case moves forward.
The prosecution maintains that the available evidence, including the alleged communications and surveillance footage, demonstrates that Robinson intentionally targeted Kirk because of the commentator’s political expression. The defense, meanwhile, continues to dispute that conclusion as the criminal case proceeds.
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