A Utah judge ruled Tuesday that Tyler Robinson will stand trial on a capital murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.

Judge Tony Graf issued the ruling following final arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys in a Provo courtroom. Much of the hearing focused on whether an alleged aggravating factor in the case was sufficient to allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.

Graf determined that prosecutors had presented enough evidence at this stage of the proceedings to establish probable cause that Robinson was responsible for Kirk’s killing.

“Viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, this evidence is sufficient at this stage to support a reasonable belief the defendant is the individual who shot and killed Charlie Kirk,” Graf said.

The judge also found sufficient evidence to support prosecutors’ allegation that the shooting created a known risk of death to others, allowing the state to continue pursuing the death penalty.

Robinson, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Kirk with a rifle from the rooftop of a building approximately 415 feet from where Kirk was speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem on September 10, 2025.

Prosecutors charged Robinson with aggravated murder, a capital felony, alleging that other people were knowingly endangered during the shooting.

He also faces charges of felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child.

Graf found probable cause for Robinson to stand trial on all charges. Not guilty pleas were entered on Robinson’s behalf following the ruling.

Kirk’s family described the judge’s decision as an important step in their pursuit of justice, saying the legal proceedings continue to carry the weight of the loss suffered by his family, particularly his children.

The family said it remains united in honoring Kirk’s memory while seeking what it described as a transparent and timely judicial process.

Robinson will now proceed toward trial, where he could face the death penalty if convicted of the capital charge.