Prosecutors in the case of Charlie Kirk’s killing have told a court that an engraved bullet found with the suspected weapon points to a political motive.
In filings submitted on Tuesday, prosecutors said the inscription on the ammunition—“Hey Facist! CATCH!”—was an explicit political reference. They argued it shows that the defendant, Tyler Robinson, was targeting Kirk because of how Robinson viewed his politics.
Death Penalty eligibility at issue
The arguments are central to whether Robinson, 23, could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors and defence lawyers have lodged competing documents on aggravating factors that would make him eligible.
Among the issues raised are whether the shooting was politically motivated, and whether the attack put thousands of people at risk during Kirk’s event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and other offences and has not entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after the shooting.
Evidence presented in July hearing
The latest court submissions came after a five-day preliminary hearing in July. Prosecutors presented what Kirk’s family described as “overwhelming” evidence, while defence attorneys challenged analysts’ findings and the reliability of some evidence.
After the hearing, Kirk’s family said in a statement that the case had shown “the overwhelming evidence of what occurred” and called for a process that is fair, transparent and based on facts. Judge Tony Graf said he would decide whether the case proceeds to trial after hearing arguments again from both sides on Sept. 1.
Texts, notes and witness statements cited
Prosecutors also pointed to alleged communications tying Robinson to Kirk. They said Robinson wrote in a text message about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.”
Robinson’s lawyers have argued that the message is not sufficient to prove political animus. They did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Tuesday’s filing.
Before his death, Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA and helped galvanise the conservative youth vote ahead of Donald Trump’s second-term victory. Prosecutors said Kirk’s positions on same-sex marriage and gender-affirming care contrasted with Robinson, whose politics, they allege, were aligned against Kirk.
Prosecutors said Robinson was in a romantic relationship with his roommate, Lance Twiggs. Twiggs told investigators he had considered gender transition around the time of Kirk’s killing. Prosecutors also cited a handwritten note they say Robinson left for Twiggs, which read: “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”
In a recorded interview shown in court last month, Twiggs said he had not heard Robinson talk about Kirk before the shooting. Twiggs told investigators that Robinson rarely discussed gender or LGBTQ+ rights, but did sometimes talk about politics, including Mr Trump. The Associated Press asked Twiggs’ attorney for comment.
Dispute over risk to others
Defence lawyers have also challenged a potential sentence enhancement connected to endangering others. They argued the shooter “hit the intended target”.
Prosecutors said many people were within a “zone of danger” when Kirk was shot from a rooftop, and that the crowd at the university event meant thousands could have been at risk.
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20 August 2026
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