Forensic analysis presented in court during the preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shows that DNA recovered from the suspected murder weapon and related cartridges is “overwhelmingly likely” to belong to Robinson.

Sgt. Jennifer Faumuina, a forensic expert, testified that DNA profiles from swabs taken from the rifle’s stock and grip were at least 1 trillion times more likely to have come from Robinson and three unrelated unknown individuals than from four unknown unrelated people. Similar strong matches were reported for other parts of the weapon and nearby cartridge casings.

The rifle, recovered near the scene of the September 2025 shooting at Utah Valley University, was wrapped in a towel that also contained DNA evidence linked to Robinson. Prosecutors displayed engraved bullet casings allegedly used in the attack, some featuring provocative messages, as part of the evidence presented in court.

Robinson, 23, faces the death penalty if convicted. His defense team has challenged aspects of the forensic evidence, but the preliminary hearing continues as prosecutors seek to advance the case to trial. Additional evidence includes texts and a handwritten letter allegedly left by Robinson for his trans partner, Lance Twiggs.

Sources: New York Post: