Lawyers Claim Bullet That Killed Charlie Kirk Doesn't Match Tyler Robinson's Rifle

Robinson's attorneys are seeking to delay a preliminary hearing scheduled for May.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:52pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing, its metallic surface reflecting the harsh lighting and creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the forensic investigation at the heart of this high-profile criminal case.The bullet evidence in the Tyler Robinson murder case has become a focal point of the defense's efforts to delay the proceedings.Orem Today

Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, argue in a new court filing that authorities have been unable to conclusively link the bullet that killed Kirk to a gun allegedly tied to their client. Robinson's defense team claims an ATF report indicated the agency was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly connected to Robinson. They are seeking to delay an upcoming preliminary hearing scheduled for May.

Why it matters

This case has garnered significant national attention, and the defense's claim that the bullet evidence does not match the alleged murder weapon could potentially undermine the prosecution's case against Robinson. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how evidence is handled in high-profile criminal trials.

The details

According to the court filing, Robinson's lawyers say an Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) summary report indicated the agency "was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson." The defense is seeking to review the ATF's full case file and protocols to determine if they will present the ATF firearm analyst's testimony as exculpatory evidence. The filing also states the FBI is conducting additional bullet analysis, but those results are not yet complete.

  • Robinson is accused of killing Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on September 10, 2025.
  • A preliminary hearing in the case is currently scheduled for May 2026.

The players

Tyler Robinson

The man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. Robinson has been charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder, and his lawyers are seeking to delay an upcoming preliminary hearing.

Charlie Kirk

The conservative activist who was killed by a bullet fired from more than 100 yards away at a Turning Point USA event in Utah.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF)

The federal agency that conducted an analysis of the bullet used to kill Charlie Kirk, which reportedly could not conclusively link it to a rifle allegedly connected to Tyler Robinson.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The federal agency that is conducting additional bullet analysis in the case, but whose results are not yet complete.

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What they’re saying

“Although the State has not indicated an intent to produce this report at the preliminary hearing, the defense may very well decide to offer the testimony of the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence.”

— Tyler Robinson's Lawyers

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant the defense's motion to delay the preliminary hearing scheduled for May 2026, pending the completion of the FBI's additional bullet analysis.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough forensic analysis and the potential for discrepancies in high-profile criminal trials. The defense's claim that the bullet evidence does not match the alleged murder weapon could significantly impact the prosecution's case against Tyler Robinson, raising questions about the handling of evidence and the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny.