Charlie Kirk Murder Bombshell: Bullet Used to Kill Turning Point USA Founder Did Not Match Rifle Used by Suspect Tyler Robinson
The fatal bullet which killed Charlie Kirk may not have come from Tyler Robinson's rifle.
March 31 2026, Published 8:07 a.m. ET
The bullet which killed Charlie Kirk may not match the rifle used by prime suspect Tyler Robinson, according to a bombshell new court filing.
RadarOnline.com can reveal Robinson’s defense attorneys now argue the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives "was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr Robinson."
Bid To Push Back Preliminary Hearing Six Months
Defense team filed motion to push the preliminary hearing back at least six months.
Robinson, 22, is facing capital murder charges and a potential death sentence for Kirk's murder at Utah Valley University on September 10.
But the defense team may now offer the ATF firearm analyst's testimony as exculpatory evidence, they said in a motion filed on Friday to push the preliminary hearing back at least six months.
It also notes that DNA reports filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and ATF will take time for the defense team to analyze because reports indicated that several different DNA samples were found on some items of evidence.
'Complicated Process'
Robinson's defense team say it will take time to analyze DNA samples found on evidence.
"As these cases indicate, determining the number of contributors to a DNA mixture and determining whether the FBI and the ATF reliably applied validated and correct scientific procedures... is a complicated process which requires the assistance of various types of experts, including forensic biologists, geneticists, system engineers and statisticians, all of whom must review and evaluate" several different categories, the filing states, according to Deseret News.
Robinson's attorneys added that they have received about 20,000 electronic audio files, videos and written documents that prosecutors have presented as evidence in the case.
"The defense team has devoted, and will continue to devote, significant resources, to processing discovery, including identifying materials not yet received to inform readiness for the preliminary hearing," the filing states.
'Hundreds Of Hours'
Defense team in Charlie Kirk murder case say a comprehensive review is required.
"However, the defense team is realistic and the comprehensive review required to determine what is missing will take hundreds of hours.
'"What is known at present is that Mr Robinson has not yet received the forensic case files and data necessary to investigate, through the use of qualified experts, the scientific reports the state intends to introduce at the preliminary hearing," the attorneys continued.
Defense attorneys and prosecutors had previously met on March 12.
Based on that meeting, the defense said in the motion it believes prosecutors will introduce "discrete 'buckets' of evidence through three identified law enforcement witnesses at the preliminary hearing.
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Robinson drove three hours to kill Kirk, who's death sparked an outpouring of tributes at Turning Point USA HQ.
"This includes a conclusory forensic DNA and ballistic reports authored by the FBI and the ATF, social media data, testimony by law enforcement officers about the crime scene and search locations, and testimony by Mr Robinson's parents and roommate as well as 'a significant amount of hearsay' from 'non-testifying peace officers.'"
Prosecutors have alleged Robinson drove three hours from his home to the university campus to kill Kirk, 31.
He was turned over to authorities by his father, Matt, after he recognized his own dad's rifle in the images released by police amid a manhunt for Kirk's assassin.
Robinson’s grandfather had given him the rifle as a gift before he used it to kill Kirk, authorities have said.
