The family of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk attended court on Monday as prosecutors began presenting evidence against the man accused of killing him during a preliminary hearing in Utah.

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Kirk, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on 10 September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The shooting sparked a two-day manhunt before authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 23.

Family attends preliminary court proceedings

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, obstructing justice and witness tampering. He has not yet entered a plea, and prosecutors in Utah County are seeking the death penalty.

The hearing is expected to continue through Friday.

Family asks for privacy

Ahead of the proceedings, Kirk's family released a statement describing the continuing impact of his death.

"Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father," said the statement from his widow, Erika, his parents, Robert and Kathryn, and his sister, Mary.

The family said every court appearance was "a painful reminder" of their loss and thanked supporters for their prayers and kindness since the shooting.

"Out of respect for the judicial process, we will not be commenting further at this time," the statement said. "We ask for continued privacy as we navigate this process and immense grief."

Kirk's widow and parents arrived at the courthouse separately on Monday.

Prosecutors outline evidence

Robinson, dressed in a light-coloured suit, sat between his lawyers during the hearing. Prosecutors said four law enforcement officers were expected to testify on the opening day.

Tyler Robinson, 23. Picture courtesy of Rick Egan/Pool via Reuters/File Photo

Before the hearing, defence lawyers had unsuccessfully sought to exclude some evidence, prevent cameras from covering the proceedings and remove the death penalty as a possible sentence.

Prosecutors revisited the events of 10 September, when Kirk was speaking under a tent as part of his American Comeback college campus tour, during which he invited audience members to debate him.

According to testimony, a gunshot was heard at about 12:20 p.m. while Kirk was discussing gun violence, causing him to collapse.

Investigator describes crime scene

One of the first witnesses, investigator Bagley, testified that he had been positioned on a nearby building and believed from the sound that the shot had been fired from a rifle rather than a handgun.

He described the immediate aftermath as chaotic, with people shouting and fleeing, and said he was initially informed that law enforcement had detained a suspect.

However, Bagley testified that evidence found later raised questions for him about whether the person first taken into custody was responsible.

He told the court he discovered a screwdriver and marks in gravel on a rooftop that he believed were consistent with a sniper's firing position. He also said security camera footage showed an individual dropping from the roof and leaving the area.

Bagley testified that the marks appeared to show where someone had been lying in a prone position with "markings of elbows, knees and feet" aligned with the line of sight toward the tent where Kirk had been speaking.

Defence attorney Kathryn Nestor raised several objections during Bagley's testimony and is expected to question him, along with other witnesses, as the preliminary hearing continues.

Charlie Kirk. Picture courtesy of Reuters

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 7 July 2026

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Thats guilty enough said the man waving away the Endless court formalities - Now take him out and hang him.

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

Right it was the man in the moon

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

The shooter has been apprehended and is currently on trial.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

ouuu, another conspiracy theory. Do tell.

1 minute ago, EVENKEEL said:

ouuu, another conspiracy theory. Do tell.

The actual shooter was located behind the grassy knoll.

4 minutes ago, temuFarang said:

The shooter has been apprehended and is currently on trial.

And it's bad enough putting up with these liberal US citizens saps who have taken the US justice system to ruin. With their sorry criminals "civil rights" Ie releasing them. But don't these non US citizens around here have enough problems in Europestan to comment on ? . Like they have worn out their welcome butting into U.S. affairs.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

It seems that Charlie's good friend Candace Owens is doing the best work in uncovering the culprit/s

he executed another human live in front of thousands and millions to see

he deserves the same, public execution

1 hour ago, temuFarang said:

The shooter has been apprehended and is currently on trial.

Don't you mean 'alleged' killer?

4 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I do hope they catch Kirk’s killer.

Was it Lee Harvey Oswald again?

2 hours ago, Point Arguello said:

And it's bad enough putting up with these liberal US citizens saps who have taken the US justice system to ruin. With their sorry criminals "civil rights" Ie releasing them. But don't these non US citizens around here have enough problems in Europestan to comment on ? . Like they have worn out their welcome butting into U.S. affairs.

1. Don't class us all the same in Europe.

2. You seem to be having plenty of problems with Somali immigrants yourselves, and hundreds of Muslims praying in the streets of NYC???, so be careful what you are accusing us of.

3. Much as I agree with plenty of Donald Trump's views on mass immigration, doesn't he regularly put his nose into British and European affairs and tell us how our countries should be run?

Kettle black, calling out frying pan, springs to mind!

1 hour ago, Jimbolkb said:

he executed another human live in front of thousands and millions to see

he deserves the same, public execution

Charlie Kirk was an outstanding advocate and I admired him deeply.

Liberals and the woke brigade get infuriated because they couldn't beat him in sensible debate.

RIP Charlie, I'll miss you.

5 hours ago, Jimbolkb said:

he executed another human live in front of thousands and millions to see

he deserves the same, public execution

Ah, you're Iranian!

I hope the Kirk family find in them the Christian tenet of forgiveness. No matter who the killer turns out to be.

4 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

1. Don't class us all the same in Europe.

2. You seem to be having plenty of problems with Somali immigrants yourselves, and hundreds of Muslims praying in the streets of NYC???, so be careful what you are accusing us of.

3. Much as I agree with plenty of Donald Trump's views on mass immigration, doesn't he regularly put his nose into British and European affairs and tell us how our countries should be run?

Kettle black, calling out frying pan, springs to mind!

Your preaching to the choir: Round up these scamalians, I mean somallians, revoke citizenship, and put them on a boat back to bum f### Egypt