A critical piece of evidence in the Charlie Kirk murder case is now under scrutiny after new court filings raised questions about whether the bullet used in the killing can be tied to the rifle linked to the accused.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with aggravated murder and other felonies over the Sept. 10, 2025 shooting of Kirk during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Robinson has not entered a plea.
In a motion seeking to delay a May preliminary hearing, Robinson’s lawyers cited an ATF report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a U.S. federal law enforcement agency that investigates gun-related crimes, stating the agency “was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson.”
Based on reports, the bullet fragment recovered during the autopsy did not contain sufficient detail for examiners to determine whether it was fired from the rifle allegedly tied to Robinson, leaving no conclusive ballistic link between the fatal shot and the weapon identified near the scene.
The defense said it may call an ATF firearm analyst to present that result, but argued it still needs access to full case records and testing methods before deciding how to proceed. The filing also states the FBI is conducting a second round of testing, including comparative and lead analysis, with results still pending.
Prosecutors continue to rely on other evidence. Authorities identified a Mauser 98 rifle, a bolt-action rifle, recovered near the scene as the suspected weapon. DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the rifle’s trigger, a fired cartridge casing, and two unfired cartridges. Defense lawyers said some items contain DNA from multiple individuals, which they argue requires deeper analysis.
The case now hinges on how these pieces of evidence are weighed as the court decides whether it will move forward to trial.
