Verified facts about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, based on court records, law enforcement statements, and credible reporting. This page separates what is established from what is claimed, alleged, or unknown.
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Charlie Kirk, 31, was assassinated on September 10, 2025, at 12:23 PM MDT, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was speaking at an outdoor campus debate organized by Turning Point USA, with approximately 3,000 people in attendance. Kirk was fatally shot in the neck with a single bullet from a Mauser Model 98 .30-06 caliber bolt-action rifle with a mounted scope, fired from the roof of a building approximately 142 yards (130m) away. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Tyler James Robinson, 22, from Washington, Utah, surrendered to the local sheriff the day after the assassination. He has been charged with 10 criminal counts including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice (disposing of evidence), and witness tampering (asking his roommate to delete incriminating texts). Prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty, alleging a politically motivated attack. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.
Lance Twiggs has been identified as acting in concert with Robinson. The factual record establishes Robinson acted with "a localized network" including Twiggs.
Robinson had documented grievances against Kirk's conservative ideology. The prosecution characterizes the motive as political/ideological radicalization. Robinson's roommate had incriminating communications that Robinson attempted to have deleted.
Key legal issue: Defense argues conflict of interest because one prosecutor's daughter was present at the event when Kirk was killed. Prosecution argues the daughter is not a witness and there is no conflict.
Robinson has not yet been arraigned. Arraignment will occur after the preliminary hearing.
The following claims, promoted primarily by Candace Owens, have no supporting evidence in any court filing, law enforcement statement, or credible reporting: