On Monday, the family of U.S. conservative activist Charlie Kirk walked into a Utah County courthouse to witness the preliminary hearing of Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting the activist on September 10, 2025.
Charlie Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA and a key Trump ally, was fatally shot while speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. Authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, 23, two days later on charges of aggravated murder, discharge of a firearm, obstructing justice and witness tampering.
Prosecutors presented evidence for an aggravated‑murder charge and requested the death penalty, though Robinson has not yet entered a plea. Defense attorneys have sought to suppress evidence and to remove cameras from the courtroom, measures that were denied.
In a statement released before the hearing, the Kirk family described Charlie as a beloved husband, son, brother, friend and father. They thanked supporters, requested privacy during the proceedings, and noted how the court’s proceedings serve as a painful reminder of his loss.
The hearing will run through Friday, with four law‑enforcement witnesses expected to testify. The case remains one of the most closely monitored trials in Utah, drawing attention from national conservative circles and the public alike.
