What Tyler Robinson's defense wants hidden and why prosecutors and media say no in court

Newly unveiled search warrants in the case against Tyler Robinson—the Utah resident accused of assassinating conservative figure Charlie Kirk in September—have shed light on how authorities gathered DNA and cellphone data that allegedly placed him at the crime scene.

According to East Idaho News, investigators collected DNA evidence from fingerprints and a smeared palm print located near the northeast corner of the rooftop at the Losee Center building. This is reportedly where Robinson descended from the rooftop to the ground. Additionally, cellphone data recorded Robinson’s location on September 10, 2025, placing him at the scene.

Further evidence includes a Google Maps route found on Robinson’s phone, which allegedly directed him to an area close to the Utah Valley University campus, as reported by the outlet.

Tyler Robinson sitting beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester in court

During a hearing in the Fourth District Court in Provo on Friday, January 16, 2026, Tyler Robinson, accused of the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, was seen sitting next to his defense attorney, Kathryn Nester. (Photo credit: Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune)

The search warrants also revealed a note that Robinson purportedly left for his roommate, whom he was romantically involved with, shortly before the alleged assassination. In the note, Robinson addressed his partner, Lance Twiggs, by the name “Luna.”

The note reportedly read: “Luna, if you are reading this per my text, then I am so sorry. I left the house this morning on a mission, and set an auto text.”

Charlie Kirk speaking onstage at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona

Charlie Kirk speaks onstage at AmericaFest 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 22, 2024. (Josh Edelson/AFP)

“I am likely dead, or facing a lengthy prison sentence. I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I took it.

“I don’t know if i will/have succeeded, but I had hoped to make it home to you. I wish we could have lived in a world where this did not feel necessary. I wish I could have stayed for you and lived our lives together.

Tyler Robinson standing in a courtroom in Provo, Utah

Tyler Robinson, accused of the murder of Charlie Kirk, appears during a hearing in Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah, Dec. 11, 2025. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune)

“I lack the words to express how much I love you, and how very much you mean to me. Please try and find joy in this life. I love you, always, -Tyler,” the letter continued, according to the outlet.

The warrant also reportedly revealed authorities’ alleged timeline of events leading up to and immediately following Kirk’s assassination. 

According to court documents previously obtained by Fox News Digital, Robinson arrived in Orem in a gray Dodge Challenger around 8:29 a.m. on the morning of the alleged shooting. He was captured on surveillance video from 11:50 a.m. to 11:53 a.m. entering the UVU campus through a tunnel under Campus Drive and checking his cell phone. 

He was spotted on a camera located at the north side of UVU’s Losee Center building walking with “a distinctive gait,” believed to be due to the rifle allegedly concealed in his jeans, around 12:02 p.m. 

Approximately 13 minutes later, authorities said Robinson was spotted wearing dark clothing and climbing a staircase leading to a common area next to the Losee Center, before scaling a wall and crouching on a rooftop, the charging document previously said. He then waited several minutes before “running across the rooftop” and crouching into “a prone shooting position” with a direct line of sight to where Kirk was speaking. 

At 12:23 p.m., as Kirk fielded a question during the campus event, a single gunshot rang out, striking the father of two in the neck. Surveillance footage captured Robinson allegedly fleeing the rooftop while carrying what appeared to be a rife, according to the documents. 

Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, among other counts, in the shooting of Kirk while Kirk was speaking at a Turning Point USA event on UVU’s campus last year. 

Robinson has since pleaded not guilty to all charges, and prosecutors have vowed to seek the death penalty in the case.

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