Father recognizes family heirloom rifle; DNA ties suspect to Kirk shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — The father of Tyler Robinson, the man charged with capital murder in the killing of Charlie Kirk on a Utah Valley University campus, realized his son was the shooter after recognizing a family heirloom rifle shown in media coverage, officials said. Matt Robinson and his wife became alarmed the day after the attack when they saw images of the suspect and the rifle on the news, according to authorities. The weapon had been handed down by Tyler’s grandfather, and investigators described the rifle as a distinctive piece that helped connect the suspect to the crime through the family history as well as the images circulating in coverage.

DNA testing later confirmed a link between the rifle and the shooter. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said DNA recovered from the trigger of the bolt-action rifle used to kill Kirk matched Tyler Robinson, a finding authorities described as tying the weapon to him. The attack occurred on Sept. 10, when the shooter fired a single fatal shot from the rooftop of a Utah Valley University building overlooking the crowd gathered for Kirk’s remarks, killing him and prompting a campus-wide manhunt.

Court documents describe a sequence of messages between Robinson and his romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, in which the suspect claimed the rifle was the only evidence left behind and discussed retrieving it from a designated “drop point” as law enforcement moved to secure the area. He also noted that the location was “locked down” and that he would attempt to recover the weapon if possible. In another exchange, Robinson referred to the rifle as a unique family heirloom and warned Twiggs that his father might want to see it. He urged Twiggs to delete their messages and warned about the risk of leaving prints at the scene, even noting that he might have to abandon the rifle to avoid tracing it to him.

Authorities say the exchange also reveals a plan to conceal the crime by moving the rifle without leaving identifiable evidence. After the shooting, Robinson reportedly texted Twiggs to instruct him to look under a keyboard for the weapon and referenced an opportunity he had seized to attack Kirk. The messages indicate a fixation on avoiding detection and on controlling the narrative around the firearm’s disappearance.

Robinson appeared briefly Tuesday in a video Zoom hearing from jail, as prosecutors outlined the charges and indicated their intention to seek the death penalty. A judge appointed an attorney to represent him as the case moves through Utah’s court system. The unfolding proceedings follow a rapid series of investigations and a nationwide search for the suspect, who reportedly traveled across southwestern Utah before being apprehended.

The killings have shocked students, faculty and observers, prompting discussions about campus safety and gun violence. Utah Valley University officials said they are reviewing security protocols and support services for students and staff in response to the incident. The case remains active as investigators gather additional physical and digital evidence, and prosecutors prepare to present formal filings at upcoming hearings.