Tyler Robinson pleads not guilty to aggravated murder after judge rules he must stand trial in connection with Charlie Kirk homicide

PROVO, Utah (TCN) -- A judge has ruled that Tyler Robinson, 23, will stand trial for aggravated murder in connection with the fatal September 2025 shooting of Charlie Kirk. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

On Sept. 1, Utah District Judge Tony Graf ruled there is enough evidence for Robinson to stand trial for the fatal Sept. 10, 2025, shooting of Turning Point USA founder and political activist Charlie Kirk, 31, who was speaking at an outdoor debate at Utah Valley University, The Associated Press reports. Robinson turned himself in to the authorities the day after Kirk was shot.

Following Graf’s ruling, Robinson pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder.

In July, prosecutors presented evidence at a preliminary hearing, including a note allegedly handwritten by Robinson and addressed to his roommate and romantic partner that read, “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.”

According to prosecutor Ryan McBride, “Tyler James Robinson shot and killed Charlie Kirk because he disagreed with him, and he did it by firing a high-powered rifle into a crowd of over 3,000 people, which created a great risk of death that anyone would know about,” per the AP. Capital punishment on the table because the alleged risk to others at the time of the shooting is considered an aggravating factor. 

In addition, Robinson could also face sentencing enhancements if political motivation is proven by prosecutors, according to the AP. Robinson’s defense has claimed prosecutors do not have enough evidence to prove that Kirk was targeted for his political beliefs.

Graf approved the charge of aggravated murder instead of murder, which carries a lesser sentence, because Kirk was surrounded by several people inside a tent at the time Robinson allegedly shot him from a rooftop, according to the AP.

NBC News reports Robinson’s next court date is scheduled for Oct. 23.

MORE: