Tyler Robinson remains unresponsive while watching the Charlie Kirk shooting video.

Charlie Kirk’s Family Faces Alleged Assassin in Court

PROVO, Utah — Charlie Kirk’s family came face to face with the suspected murderer on Monday in a Utah courtroom, marking the start of a preliminary hearing set to unfold over the week.

Tyler Robinson, aged 23, was present before the media entered around 8:55 a.m., dressed in a gray suit with a pink shirt and black tie, though he wore handcuffs on both his wrists and ankles. During the hearing, an unsettling video depicting the shooting of Kirk was shown to the judge and legal teams, but Kirk himself didn’t visibly react when the gunshot was heard.

David Hull, an agent with the Utah Bureau of Investigation, introduced several videos, including those not previously revealed in court. Notably, two images allegedly depicted the moment a bullet struck Kirk in the neck, accompanied by audio that reporters could hear.

Charlie’s parents and widow are expected to attend Robinson’s hearing next week, though they had left the courtroom before graphic evidence was presented. They were to be alerted prior to any unsettling content being showcased, particularly when it came to discussing the assassination directly.

When the gunshot echoed on screen, Judge Tony Graf Jr. flinched, shifting away from it, while Robinson remained still, seemingly unfazed, during both video views. Meanwhile, Erica Kirk sat alongside her in-laws, Rob and Kathy Kirk, engaged in a close watch of the proceedings, occasionally sharing sidelong looks with one another. Other family members present included Erica’s sister and various nieces and nephews.

As Kirk’s family exited the courtroom, Hull also spoke about the autopsy report, deeming Kirk’s death a homicide from a gunshot wound. The scene was emotional, especially as Robinson’s mother comforted him by resting a hand on his shoulder.

Nearby, high-profile supporters like Donald Trump Jr. and conservative commentators were spotted amongst Kirk’s relatives as well. Robinson’s family was usually front and center but found themselves seated farther back this time.

The first witness for the day was Officer Christopher Bagley of the Spanish Fork Police Department, who testified about the chaotic scene at the Turning Point USA event where Kirk was tragically shot on September 10, 2025. He noted hearing what he believed were rifle shots coming from the Rothesay Center area after seeing an empty handgun holster on the ground amidst the confusion.

Bagley detailed his findings, mentioning a screwdriver and what appeared to be “sniper’s pads” discovered on the roof of the Rothesay Center. He estimated that the strategic positioning allowed for a clear line of sight to where Kirk was speaking. Defense attorney Kathy Nester only had a brief period to cross-examine Bagley before the lunch break but inquired about the direction of the shots reported initially.

Prosecutors had planned to present surveillance video from UVU, but Robinson’s defense challenged this. While most objections were dismissed by Graff, he agreed that the video could not be shown due to authentication issues from editing. It’s expected that an unaltered version will be provided later for review.

This week, the court will also consider a recorded statement from Robinson’s ex-girlfriend, who prosecutors assert received a written confession following the incident. Robinson has yet to enter a plea and could face the death penalty if convicted of aggravated murder.