A hearing is scheduled for Monday, where a judge will determine the level of public access to the case of a man accused in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Tyler Robinson, 22, stands accused of firing a single shot from a rooftop, striking the 31-year-old conservative speaker during an event at Utah Valley University on September 10th.
The bullet struck Kirk in the neck as he answered questions from the audience in a campus courtyard. The upcoming hearing will focus on whether transcripts from a previous, sealed hearing should be released to the public, and what level of access the media and public will have to the proceedings moving forward.
A coalition of news organizations, including Fox News, has filed a motion seeking formal recognition from the court. They are requesting advance notice of any attempts to restrict access, including camera bans, and the opportunity to challenge such limitations.
Concerns about transparency have arisen due to previous closed-door hearings and the defense’s initial request to ban cameras entirely. The judge ultimately rejected a full camera ban, opting instead for limitations on what footage could be broadcast.
The judge has indicated a deliberate approach to deciding what portions of the sealed hearing should remain confidential, stating a preference for thoroughness over haste. He emphasized a desire to “do it right” and avoid making premature decisions.
Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, tragically died from the gunshot wound. He left behind a wife and two children. The alleged shooter is accused of fleeing the scene immediately after the shooting, discarding a Mauser .30-06 rifle in a nearby neighborhood.
Robinson allegedly drove approximately four hours to southern Utah, where he confessed the shooting to both his roommate and romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, and his parents. Both Twiggs and Robinson’s parents are cooperating with investigators.
Twiggs has not been charged with any crime, and authorities credit Robinson’s parents with persuading him to surrender to Washington County deputies. The accused is currently awaiting another court appearance on January 16th.
That hearing will address a motion from the defense requesting the recusal of a prosecutor due to a family member’s presence at the time of the shooting. Robinson faces seven charges, including aggravated murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.
He also faces charges of felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. As of now, Robinson has not entered a plea in the case.
